Condon vs Gumlow, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Condon and Gumlow are both Townsville City Council suburbs, sitting 13.1 km and 17.3 km from Townsville CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Condon runs $1,210 a year cheaper than Gumlow, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $13,872.
Over 10 years, Condon costs about $13,900 less to run than Gumlow. That's about $27 a week.
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Gumlow
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Condon | Gumlow | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,343 | $1,343 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,099 | $2,099 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $3,828 | $4,738 | -$910 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $3,600 | $3,900 | -$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,200 | $1,800 | +$400 |
| Total (driving) | $10,870 | $12,080 | -$1,210 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,234 | $7,534 | -$300 |
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 | Condon | Gumlow | 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, Condon vs Gumlow (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Condon costs $1,210 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $13,872 in favour of Condon.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $910 per year. Gumlow is 17.3 km from Townsville CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $7,234 from Condon versus $7,534 from Gumlow.
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 Condon by $910 a year, $3,828 against $4,738.
- Building insurance favours Condon by $300 a year, $3,600 against $3,900.
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 | Condon cumulative | Gumlow cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,870 | $12,080 | $1,210 |
| Year 3 | $33,598 | $37,338 | $3,740 |
| Year 5 | $57,710 | $64,134 | $6,424 |
| Year 10 | $124,612 | $138,484 | $13,872 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Condon or Gumlow cheaper to live in?
Condon is cheaper to run by car at $10,870 per year versus $12,080 for Gumlow, a difference of $1,210 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Condon and Gumlow?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,343 in Condon (Townsville City Council) and $1,343 in Gumlow (Townsville City Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,099 in Condon and $2,099 in Gumlow. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Condon and Gumlow?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,828 from Condon and $4,738 from Gumlow to Townsville CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Condon and $192 from Gumlow.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Condon and Gumlow?
At 3% annual cost growth, Condon costs a cumulative $124,612 and Gumlow costs $138,484 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $13,872 in favour of Condon. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Condon and Gumlow suits you better?
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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 insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.