Cassowary vs Killaloe, 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 Killaloe are both Douglas Shire Council suburbs, sitting 57.8 km and 60.5 km from Cairns CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Killaloe runs $652 a year cheaper than Cassowary, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $7,475.
Over 10 years, Killaloe costs about $7,500 less to run than Cassowary. That's about $14 a week.
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Killaloe
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Cassowary | Killaloe | 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 | $5,153 | +$452 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $5,605 | $5,153 | +$452 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $3,700 | $3,500 | +$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,600 | $1,500 | +$100 |
| Total (driving) | $12,470 | $11,818 | +$652 |
| Total (public transport) | $12,470 | $11,818 | +$652 |
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 | Killaloe | 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 Killaloe (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Killaloe costs $652 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $7,475 in favour of Killaloe.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $452 per year. Killaloe is 60.5 km from Cairns CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $652 per year, $12,470 from Cassowary versus $11,818 from Killaloe.
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 Killaloe by $452 a year, $5,153 against $5,605.
- Building insurance favours Killaloe by $200 a year, $3,500 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 | Killaloe cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,470 | $11,818 | $652 |
| Year 3 | $38,544 | $36,528 | $2,016 |
| Year 5 | $66,205 | $62,743 | $3,462 |
| Year 10 | $142,955 | $135,480 | $7,475 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cassowary or Killaloe cheaper to live in?
Killaloe is cheaper to run by car at $11,818 per year versus $12,470 for Cassowary, a difference of $652 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Cassowary and Killaloe?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,400 in Cassowary (Douglas Shire Council) and $1,400 in Killaloe (Douglas Shire Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,765 in Cassowary and $1,765 in Killaloe. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Cassowary and Killaloe?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,605 from Cassowary and $5,153 from Killaloe 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 Killaloe?
At 3% annual cost growth, Cassowary costs a cumulative $142,955 and Killaloe costs $135,480 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $7,475 in favour of Killaloe. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Cassowary and Killaloe 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.