Cassowary vs Craiglie, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Cassowary and Craiglie are both Douglas Shire Council suburbs, sitting 57.8 km and 54.4 km from Cairns CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $79 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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Craiglie
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Cassowary | Craiglie | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,400 | $1,400 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,765 | $1,765 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $5,605 | $6,084 | -$479 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $5,605 | $6,084 | -$479 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $3,700 | $3,300 | +$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,600 | $1,800 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $12,470 | $12,549 | -$79 |
| Total (public transport) | $12,470 | $12,549 | -$79 |
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 | Cassowary | Craiglie | 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, Cassowary vs Craiglie (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Cassowary and Craiglie cost within $79 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $905, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $479 per year. Cassowary is 57.8 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, $12,470 and $12,549 a year, so the $79 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,400 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,765 a year.
- Driving commute favours Cassowary by $479 a year, $5,605 against $6,084.
- Building insurance favours Craiglie 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 | Cassowary cumulative | Craiglie cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,470 | $12,549 | $79 |
| Year 3 | $38,544 | $38,788 | $244 |
| Year 5 | $66,205 | $66,624 | $419 |
| Year 10 | $142,955 | $143,860 | $905 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cassowary or Craiglie cheaper to live in?
Cassowary is cheaper to run by car at $12,470 per year versus $12,549 for Craiglie, a difference of $79 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Cassowary and Craiglie?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,400 in Cassowary (Douglas Shire Council) and $1,400 in Craiglie (Douglas Shire Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,765 in Cassowary and $1,765 in Craiglie. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Cassowary and Craiglie?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,605 from Cassowary and $6,084 from Craiglie 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 Cassowary and Craiglie?
At 3% annual cost growth, Cassowary costs a cumulative $142,955 and Craiglie costs $143,860 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $905 in favour of Cassowary. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Cassowary and Craiglie suits you better?
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Sources: Douglas Shire Council and Douglas Shire 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.