Condon vs Kirwan, 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 Kirwan are both Townsville City Council suburbs, sitting 13.1 km and 10.7 km from Townsville CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $39 a year of each other to run, so running cost is a minor factor here. The decision comes down to schools, risk and lifestyle, all in the free report.
Over 10 years these two cost about the same to run.
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Kirwan
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Condon | Kirwan | 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 | $3,239 | +$589 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $3,600 | $4,150 | -$550 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,200 | $2,200 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,870 | $10,831 | +$39 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,234 | $7,784 | -$550 |
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 | Kirwan | 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 Kirwan (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Condon and Kirwan cost within $39 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $447, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $589 per year. Condon is 13.1 km from Townsville CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $550 per year, $7,234 from Condon versus $7,784 from Kirwan.
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 Kirwan by $589 a year, $3,239 against $3,828.
- Building insurance favours Condon by $550 a year, $3,600 against $4,150.
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 4.9 in Kirwan against 1.9 in Condon, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Condon cumulative | Kirwan cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,870 | $10,831 | $39 |
| Year 3 | $33,598 | $33,478 | $120 |
| Year 5 | $57,710 | $57,503 | $207 |
| Year 10 | $124,612 | $124,165 | $447 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Condon or Kirwan cheaper to live in?
Kirwan is cheaper to run by car at $10,831 per year versus $10,870 for Condon, a difference of $39 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Condon and Kirwan?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,343 in Condon (Townsville City Council) and $1,343 in Kirwan (Townsville City Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,099 in Condon and $2,099 in Kirwan. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Condon and Kirwan?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,828 from Condon and $3,239 from Kirwan to Townsville CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Condon and $192 from Kirwan.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Condon and Kirwan?
At 3% annual cost growth, Condon costs a cumulative $124,612 and Kirwan costs $124,165 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $447 in favour of Kirwan. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Condon and Kirwan 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.