Castle Hill vs North Ward: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Castle Hill and North Ward are both Townsville City Council suburbs, sitting 1.8 km and 1.5 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Castle Hill runs $302 a year cheaper than North Ward, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,462.
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 →Castle Hill
North Ward
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Castle Hill | North Ward | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,343 | $1,343 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,099 | $2,099 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $595 | $497 | +$98 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $4,400 | $4,800 | -$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $3,200 | $3,500 | -$300 |
| Total (driving) | $8,437 | $8,739 | -$302 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,034 | $8,434 | -$400 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Castle Hill | North Ward | 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 — Castle Hill vs North Ward (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Castle Hill costs $302 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,462 in favour of Castle Hill.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $400 per year.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $8,034 from Castle Hill versus $8,434 from North Ward.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Castle Hill cumulative | North Ward cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,437 | $8,739 | $302 |
| Year 3 | $26,078 | $27,011 | $933 |
| Year 5 | $44,793 | $46,397 | $1,604 |
| Year 10 | $96,721 | $100,183 | $3,462 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Castle Hill or North Ward cheaper to live in?
Castle Hill is cheaper to run by car at $8,437 per year versus $8,739 for North Ward, a difference of $302 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Castle Hill and North Ward?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,343 in Castle Hill (Townsville City Council) and $1,343 in North Ward (Townsville City Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,099 in Castle Hill and $2,099 in North Ward. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Castle Hill and North Ward?
Annual driving commute costs are $595 from Castle Hill and $497 from North Ward to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Castle Hill and $192 from North Ward.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Castle Hill and North Ward?
At 3% annual cost growth, Castle Hill costs a cumulative $96,721 and North Ward costs $100,183 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,462 in favour of Castle Hill. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Castle Hill and North Ward 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: Townsville City Council and Townsville City 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.