Cairns North vs Parramatta Park, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Cairns North and Parramatta Park are both Cairns Regional Council suburbs, sitting 2.4 km and 1.6 km from Cairns CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $66 a year of each other to run, so running cost is a minor factor here. The decision comes down to schools, risk and lifestyle, all in the free report.
Over 10 years these two cost about the same to run.
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Parramatta Park
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Cairns North | Parramatta Park | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,166 | $1,166 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,765 | $1,765 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $814 | $548 | +$266 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $3,450 | $3,650 | -$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $4,800 | $3,200 | +$1,600 |
| Total (driving) | $7,195 | $7,129 | +$66 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,573 | $6,773 | -$200 |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Cairns North | Parramatta Park | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,373 | $2,373 | - |
| Unit | $1,945 | $1,945 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2026-27 regulated prices for each suburb's electricity network, including supply charge (AER Default Market Offer caps, or the QCA price in regional Queensland; unit ≈ 75% of a house). Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Cost breakdown chart
Annual cost breakdown, Cairns North vs Parramatta Park (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Cairns North and Parramatta Park cost within $66 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $757, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $266 per year. Cairns North is 2.4 km from Cairns CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $200 per year, $6,573 from Cairns North versus $6,773 from Parramatta Park.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,166 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,765 a year.
- Driving commute favours Parramatta Park by $266 a year, $548 against $814.
- Building insurance favours Cairns North by $200 a year, $3,450 against $3,650.
Both suburbs sit in the same council area, so the rates line is identical and none of the difference between them comes from council. What separates them is commute distance and the insurance band.
The catchment state school scores 6.4 in Cairns North against 3.2 in Parramatta Park, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Cairns North cumulative | Parramatta Park cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,195 | $7,129 | $66 |
| Year 3 | $22,239 | $22,035 | $204 |
| Year 5 | $38,199 | $37,849 | $350 |
| Year 10 | $82,483 | $81,726 | $757 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cairns North or Parramatta Park cheaper to live in?
Parramatta Park is cheaper to run by car at $7,129 per year versus $7,195 for Cairns North, a difference of $66 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Cairns North and Parramatta Park?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,166 in Cairns North (Cairns Regional Council) and $1,166 in Parramatta Park (Cairns Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,765 in Cairns North and $1,765 in Parramatta Park. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Cairns North and Parramatta Park?
Annual driving commute costs are $814 from Cairns North and $548 from Parramatta Park to Cairns CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Cairns North and $192 from Parramatta Park.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Cairns North and Parramatta Park?
At 3% annual cost growth, Cairns North costs a cumulative $82,483 and Parramatta Park costs $81,726 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $757 in favour of Parramatta Park. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Cairns North and Parramatta Park suits you better?
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Sources: Cairns Regional Council and Cairns Regional Council rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.