Caravonica vs Kamerunga: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Caravonica and Kamerunga are both Cairns Regional Council suburbs, sitting 12 km and 10.7 km from Cairns CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Kamerunga runs $326 a year cheaper than Caravonica, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,737.
Over 10 years these two cost about the same to run. The difference here isn't money — it's location, schools and lifestyle.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Caravonica
Kamerunga
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Caravonica | Kamerunga | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,166 | $1,166 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,765 | $1,765 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,565 | $3,239 | +$326 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $6,200 | $6,200 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,200 | $2,200 | - |
| Total (driving) | $12,696 | $12,370 | +$326 |
| Total (public transport) | $9,323 | $9,323 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Caravonica | Kamerunga | 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 — Caravonica vs Kamerunga (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Kamerunga costs $326 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,737 in favour of Kamerunga.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $326 per year. Caravonica is 12 km from Cairns CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $9,323 and $9,323 a year, so the $326 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
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 Kamerunga by $326 a year, $3,239 against $3,565.
- Building insurance is identical at $6,200 a year.
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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Caravonica cumulative | Kamerunga cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,696 | $12,370 | $326 |
| Year 3 | $39,242 | $38,234 | $1,008 |
| Year 5 | $67,405 | $65,674 | $1,731 |
| Year 10 | $145,545 | $141,808 | $3,737 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Caravonica or Kamerunga cheaper to live in?
Kamerunga is cheaper to run by car at $12,370 per year versus $12,696 for Caravonica, a difference of $326 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Caravonica and Kamerunga?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,166 in Caravonica (Cairns Regional Council) and $1,166 in Kamerunga (Cairns Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,765 in Caravonica and $1,765 in Kamerunga. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Caravonica and Kamerunga?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,565 from Caravonica and $3,239 from Kamerunga to Cairns CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Caravonica and $192 from Kamerunga.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Caravonica and Kamerunga?
At 3% annual cost growth, Caravonica costs a cumulative $145,545 and Kamerunga costs $141,808 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,737 in favour of Kamerunga. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Caravonica and Kamerunga is best to actually live in?
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: 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 AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.