Cluden vs Idalia, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Cluden and Idalia are both Townsville City Council suburbs, sitting 6.4 km and 5.3 km from Townsville CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Idalia runs $529 a year cheaper than Cluden, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,064.
Over 10 years, Idalia costs about $6,100 less to run than Cluden. That's about $12 a week.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict → Personalise this comparison with your own commute, home type and loan →Cluden
Idalia
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Cluden | Idalia | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,343 | $1,343 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,099 | $2,099 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,058 | $1,729 | +$329 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $3,600 | $3,400 | +$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,000 | $2,400 | -$400 |
| Total (driving) | $9,100 | $8,571 | +$529 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,234 | $7,034 | +$200 |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Cluden | Idalia | 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, Cluden vs Idalia (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Idalia costs $529 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $6,064 in favour of Idalia.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $329 per year. Cluden is 6.4 km from Townsville CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $200 per year, $7,234 from Cluden versus $7,034 from Idalia.
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 Idalia by $329 a year, $1,729 against $2,058.
- Building insurance favours Idalia by $200 a year, $3,400 against $3,600.
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.
The catchment state school scores 5.9 in Idalia against 1.7 in Cluden, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Cluden cumulative | Idalia cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,100 | $8,571 | $529 |
| Year 3 | $28,127 | $26,492 | $1,635 |
| Year 5 | $48,313 | $45,505 | $2,808 |
| Year 10 | $104,321 | $98,257 | $6,064 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cluden or Idalia cheaper to live in?
Idalia is cheaper to run by car at $8,571 per year versus $9,100 for Cluden, a difference of $529 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Cluden and Idalia?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,343 in Cluden (Townsville City Council) and $1,343 in Idalia (Townsville City Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,099 in Cluden and $2,099 in Idalia. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Cluden and Idalia?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,058 from Cluden and $1,729 from Idalia to Townsville CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Cluden and $192 from Idalia.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Cluden and Idalia?
At 3% annual cost growth, Cluden costs a cumulative $104,321 and Idalia costs $98,257 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,064 in favour of Idalia. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Cluden and Idalia suits you better?
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: 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 insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.