Cassowary vs Killaloe: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Cassowary and Killaloe are both Cairns Regional Council suburbs, sitting 57.8 km and 60.5 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Killaloe runs $837 a year cheaper than Cassowary, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $9,595.
Over 10 years, Killaloe costs about $9,600 less to run than Cassowary — the same as paying $9,600 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Killaloe
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Cassowary | Killaloe | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,165 | $1,165 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,765 | $1,765 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,420 | $4,983 | +$437 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $7,200 | $6,800 | +$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,600 | $1,500 | +$100 |
| Total (driving) | $15,550 | $14,713 | +$837 |
| Total (public transport) | $10,322 | $9,922 | +$400 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Cassowary | Killaloe | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,218 | $2,218 | - |
| Unit | $1,773 | $1,773 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2025 rates (QLD 30c/kWh, NSW 33c/kWh incl. supply charge; 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 $837 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $9,595 in favour of Killaloe.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $437 per year. Killaloe is 60.5 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $10,322 from Cassowary versus $9,922 from Killaloe.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Cassowary cumulative | Killaloe cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $15,550 | $14,713 | $837 |
| Year 3 | $48,063 | $45,476 | $2,587 |
| Year 5 | $82,557 | $78,113 | $4,444 |
| Year 10 | $178,263 | $168,668 | $9,595 |
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 $14,713 per year versus $15,550 for Cassowary, a difference of $837 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Cassowary and Killaloe?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,165 in Cassowary (Cairns Regional Council) and $1,165 in Killaloe (Cairns Regional 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 $5,420 from Cassowary and $4,983 from Killaloe to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Cassowary and $192 from Killaloe.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Cassowary and Killaloe?
At 3% annual cost growth, Cassowary costs a cumulative $178,263 and Killaloe costs $168,668 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $9,595 in favour of Killaloe. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Cassowary and Killaloe 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.
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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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.