Cluden vs Oonoonba, 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 Oonoonba are both Townsville City Council suburbs, sitting 6.4 km and 3.7 km from Townsville CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Oonoonba runs $825 a year cheaper than Cluden, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $9,457.
Over 10 years, Oonoonba costs about $9,500 less to run than Cluden. That's about $18 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
Oonoonba
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Cluden | Oonoonba | 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 | $1,233 | +$825 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $3,600 | $3,600 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,000 | $2,200 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $9,100 | $8,275 | +$825 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,234 | $7,234 | - |
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 | Oonoonba | 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 Oonoonba (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Oonoonba costs $825 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $9,457 in favour of Oonoonba.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $825 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 two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,234 and $7,234 a year, so the $825 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
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 Oonoonba by $825 a year, $1,233 against $2,058.
- Building insurance is identical at $3,600 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.
The catchment state school scores 5.9 in Oonoonba against 1.7 in Cluden, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Cluden cumulative | Oonoonba cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,100 | $8,275 | $825 |
| Year 3 | $28,127 | $25,577 | $2,550 |
| Year 5 | $48,313 | $43,933 | $4,380 |
| Year 10 | $104,321 | $94,864 | $9,457 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cluden or Oonoonba cheaper to live in?
Oonoonba is cheaper to run by car at $8,275 per year versus $9,100 for Cluden, a difference of $825 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Cluden and Oonoonba?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,343 in Cluden (Townsville City Council) and $1,343 in Oonoonba (Townsville City Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,099 in Cluden and $2,099 in Oonoonba. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Cluden and Oonoonba?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,058 from Cluden and $1,233 from Oonoonba to Townsville CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Cluden and $192 from Oonoonba.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Cluden and Oonoonba?
At 3% annual cost growth, Cluden costs a cumulative $104,321 and Oonoonba costs $94,864 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $9,457 in favour of Oonoonba. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Cluden and Oonoonba 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.