Cassowary vs Port Douglas: 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 Port Douglas are both Douglas Shire Council suburbs, sitting 57.8 km and 57 km from Cairns CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $122 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. 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 →Cassowary
Port Douglas
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Cassowary | Port Douglas | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,400 | $1,400 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,765 | $1,765 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,605 | $5,727 | -$122 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $7,200 | $7,200 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,600 | $2,200 | -$600 |
| Total (driving) | $15,970 | $16,092 | -$122 |
| Total (public transport) | $10,557 | $10,557 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Cassowary | Port Douglas | 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 Port Douglas (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Cassowary and Port Douglas cost within $122 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,399, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $122 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, $10,557 and $10,557 a year, so the $122 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 $122 a year, $5,605 against $5,727.
- Building insurance is identical at $7,200 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 | Cassowary cumulative | Port Douglas cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $15,970 | $16,092 | $122 |
| Year 3 | $49,362 | $49,739 | $377 |
| Year 5 | $84,787 | $85,435 | $648 |
| Year 10 | $183,078 | $184,477 | $1,399 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cassowary or Port Douglas cheaper to live in?
Cassowary is cheaper to run by car at $15,970 per year versus $16,092 for Port Douglas, a difference of $122 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Cassowary and Port Douglas?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,400 in Cassowary (Douglas Shire Council) and $1,400 in Port Douglas (Douglas Shire Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,765 in Cassowary and $1,765 in Port Douglas. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Cassowary and Port Douglas?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,605 from Cassowary and $5,727 from Port Douglas to Cairns CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Cassowary and $192 from Port Douglas.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Cassowary and Port Douglas?
At 3% annual cost growth, Cassowary costs a cumulative $183,078 and Port Douglas costs $184,477 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,399 in favour of Cassowary. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Cassowary and Port Douglas 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: 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 AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.