Craiglie vs Port Douglas: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Craiglie and Port Douglas are both Douglas Shire Council suburbs, sitting 54.4 km and 57 km from Cairns CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Craiglie runs $343 a year cheaper than Port Douglas, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,932.
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 →Craiglie
Port Douglas
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Craiglie | Port Douglas | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,400 | $1,400 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,765 | $1,765 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,084 | $5,727 | +$357 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $6,500 | $7,200 | -$700 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $2,200 | -$400 |
| Total (driving) | $15,749 | $16,092 | -$343 |
| Total (public transport) | $9,857 | $10,557 | -$700 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Craiglie | Port Douglas | 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 — Craiglie vs Port Douglas (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Craiglie costs $343 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,932 in favour of Craiglie.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $700 per year.
On public transport the gap is $700 per year, $9,857 from Craiglie versus $10,557 from Port Douglas.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,400 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,765 a year.
- Driving commute favours Port Douglas by $357 a year, $5,727 against $6,084.
- Building insurance favours Craiglie by $700 a year, $6,500 against $7,200.
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 | Craiglie cumulative | Port Douglas cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $15,749 | $16,092 | $343 |
| Year 3 | $48,679 | $49,739 | $1,060 |
| Year 5 | $83,614 | $85,435 | $1,821 |
| Year 10 | $180,545 | $184,477 | $3,932 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Craiglie or Port Douglas cheaper to live in?
Craiglie is cheaper to run by car at $15,749 per year versus $16,092 for Port Douglas, a difference of $343 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Craiglie and Port Douglas?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,400 in Craiglie (Douglas Shire Council) and $1,400 in Port Douglas (Douglas Shire Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,765 in Craiglie and $1,765 in Port Douglas. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Craiglie and Port Douglas?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,084 from Craiglie and $5,727 from Port Douglas to Cairns CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Craiglie and $192 from Port Douglas.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Craiglie and Port Douglas?
At 3% annual cost growth, Craiglie costs a cumulative $180,545 and Port Douglas costs $184,477 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,932 in favour of Craiglie. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Craiglie and Port Douglas 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.
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Sources: Douglas Shire Council and Douglas Shire Council rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.