Camp Creek vs Germantown, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Camp Creek and Germantown are both Cassowary Coast Regional Council suburbs, sitting 80 km and 83 km from Cairns CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $268 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 the gap between these two is about $3,100, about $6 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict → Personalise this comparison with your own commute, home type and loan →Camp Creek
Germantown
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Camp Creek | Germantown | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,415 | $1,415 | - |
| Water & sewerage Estimated stand-in | $1,765 | $1,765 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $3,494 | $3,626 | -$132 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $3,494 | $3,626 | -$132 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $3,700 | $3,300 | +$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,400 | $1,400 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,374 | $10,106 | +$268 |
| Total (public transport) | $10,374 | $10,106 | +$268 |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Camp Creek's water charge is Cairns Regional Council Water & Sewerage's, standing in until its own council's schedule is loaded. Germantown's water charge is Cairns Regional Council Water & Sewerage's, standing in until its own council's schedule is loaded. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Camp Creek | Germantown | 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, Camp Creek vs Germantown (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Camp Creek and Germantown differ by $268 a year by car, but $400 of that is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On the sourced costs, council rates, water and the commute, the gap is $132, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $400 per year.
On public transport the gap is $268 per year, $10,374 from Camp Creek versus $10,106 from Germantown.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,415 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,765 a year.
- Driving commute favours Camp Creek by $132 a year, $3,494 against $3,626.
- Building insurance favours Germantown by $400 a year, $3,300 against $3,700.
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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Camp Creek cumulative | Germantown cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,374 | $10,106 | $268 |
| Year 3 | $32,065 | $31,237 | $828 |
| Year 5 | $55,077 | $53,654 | $1,423 |
| Year 10 | $118,926 | $115,854 | $3,072 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Camp Creek or Germantown cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Camp Creek runs $10,374 a year by car and Germantown $10,106, but most of the $268 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $132. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Camp Creek and Germantown?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,415 in Camp Creek (Cassowary Coast Regional Council) and $1,415 in Germantown (Cassowary Coast Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,765 in Camp Creek and $1,765 in Germantown. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Camp Creek and Germantown?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,494 from Camp Creek and $3,626 from Germantown to Cairns CBD (ATO 91c/km). No daily public transport commute is assumed from either suburb, so both are costed by car.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Camp Creek and Germantown?
At 3% annual cost growth, Camp Creek costs a cumulative $118,926 and Germantown costs $115,854 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,072 in favour of Germantown. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Camp Creek and Germantown suits you better?
You've got the costs. Get the free personalised report for the rest: a clear verdict on which suburb wins, the full flood, fire and crime risk profile, nearest schools, estimated electricity cost by number of occupants, and your own loan or rent stress-tested over 10 years. No spam.
Related comparisons
Sources: Cassowary Coast Regional Council and Cassowary Coast 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.