Clifton Beach vs Palm Cove: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Clifton Beach and Palm Cove are both Cairns Regional Council suburbs, sitting 20.3 km and 22.4 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Clifton Beach runs $331 a year cheaper than Palm Cove, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,795.
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 →Clifton Beach
Palm Cove
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Clifton Beach | Palm Cove | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,165 | $1,165 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,765 | $1,765 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,119 | $5,450 | -$331 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $6,800 | $6,800 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $2,200 | -$400 |
| Total (driving) | $14,849 | $15,180 | -$331 |
| Total (public transport) | $9,922 | $9,922 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Clifton Beach | Palm Cove | 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 — Clifton Beach vs Palm Cove (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Clifton Beach costs $331 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,795 in favour of Clifton Beach.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $331 per year. Palm Cove is 22.4 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $9,922 and $9,922 a year, so the $331 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Clifton Beach cumulative | Palm Cove cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $14,849 | $15,180 | $331 |
| Year 3 | $45,897 | $46,920 | $1,023 |
| Year 5 | $78,835 | $80,593 | $1,758 |
| Year 10 | $170,227 | $174,022 | $3,795 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Clifton Beach or Palm Cove cheaper to live in?
Clifton Beach is cheaper to run by car at $14,849 per year versus $15,180 for Palm Cove, a difference of $331 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Clifton Beach and Palm Cove?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,165 in Clifton Beach (Cairns Regional Council) and $1,165 in Palm Cove (Cairns Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,765 in Clifton Beach and $1,765 in Palm Cove. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Clifton Beach and Palm Cove?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,119 from Clifton Beach and $5,450 from Palm Cove to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Clifton Beach and $192 from Palm Cove.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Clifton Beach and Palm Cove?
At 3% annual cost growth, Clifton Beach costs a cumulative $170,227 and Palm Cove costs $174,022 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,795 in favour of Clifton Beach. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Clifton Beach and Palm Cove 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: 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.