Castle Hill vs Rowes Bay: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Castle Hill and Rowes Bay are both Townsville City Council suburbs, sitting 1.8 km and 4.1 km from Townsville CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Castle Hill runs $1,144 a year cheaper than Rowes Bay, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $13,115.
Over 10 years, Castle Hill costs about $13,100 less to run than Rowes Bay — the same as paying $13,100 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Castle Hill
Rowes Bay
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Castle Hill | Rowes Bay | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,343 | $1,343 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,099 | $2,099 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $615 | $1,359 | -$744 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $4,400 | $4,800 | -$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $3,200 | $2,200 | +$1,000 |
| Total (driving) | $8,457 | $9,601 | -$1,144 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,034 | $8,434 | -$400 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Castle Hill | Rowes Bay | 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 — Castle Hill vs Rowes Bay (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Castle Hill costs $1,144 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $13,115 in favour of Castle Hill.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $744 per year. Rowes Bay is 4.1 km from Townsville CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $8,034 from Castle Hill versus $8,434 from Rowes Bay.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,343 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $2,099 a year.
- Driving commute favours Castle Hill by $744 a year, $615 against $1,359.
- Building insurance favours Castle Hill by $400 a year, $4,400 against $4,800.
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 | Castle Hill cumulative | Rowes Bay cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,457 | $9,601 | $1,144 |
| Year 3 | $26,140 | $29,676 | $3,536 |
| Year 5 | $44,899 | $50,973 | $6,074 |
| Year 10 | $96,950 | $110,065 | $13,115 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Castle Hill or Rowes Bay cheaper to live in?
Castle Hill is cheaper to run by car at $8,457 per year versus $9,601 for Rowes Bay, a difference of $1,144 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Castle Hill and Rowes Bay?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,343 in Castle Hill (Townsville City Council) and $1,343 in Rowes Bay (Townsville City Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,099 in Castle Hill and $2,099 in Rowes Bay. 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 Rowes Bay?
Annual driving commute costs are $615 from Castle Hill and $1,359 from Rowes Bay to Townsville CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Castle Hill and $192 from Rowes Bay.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Castle Hill and Rowes Bay?
At 3% annual cost growth, Castle Hill costs a cumulative $96,950 and Rowes Bay costs $110,065 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $13,115 in favour of Castle Hill. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Castle Hill and Rowes Bay 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 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.