Cranbrook vs Heatley, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Cranbrook and Heatley are both Townsville City Council suburbs, sitting 8.5 km and 7.5 km from Townsville CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Heatley runs $430 a year cheaper than Cranbrook, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,930.
Over 10 years, Heatley costs about $4,900 less to run than Cranbrook. That's about $9 a week.
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Heatley
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Cranbrook | Heatley | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,343 | $1,343 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,099 | $2,099 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,655 | $2,375 | +$280 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $3,750 | $3,600 | +$150 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,200 | $2,000 | +$200 |
| Total (driving) | $9,847 | $9,417 | +$430 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,384 | $7,234 | +$150 |
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 | Cranbrook | Heatley | 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, Cranbrook vs Heatley (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Heatley costs $430 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,930 in favour of Heatley.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $280 per year. Cranbrook is 8.5 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, $7,384 and $7,234 a year, so the $430 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 Heatley by $280 a year, $2,375 against $2,655.
- Building insurance favours Heatley by $150 a year, $3,600 against $3,750.
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 3.8 in Cranbrook against 1.9 in Heatley, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Cranbrook cumulative | Heatley cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,847 | $9,417 | $430 |
| Year 3 | $30,436 | $29,107 | $1,329 |
| Year 5 | $52,279 | $49,996 | $2,283 |
| Year 10 | $112,885 | $107,955 | $4,930 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cranbrook or Heatley cheaper to live in?
Heatley is cheaper to run by car at $9,417 per year versus $9,847 for Cranbrook, a difference of $430 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Cranbrook and Heatley?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,343 in Cranbrook (Townsville City Council) and $1,343 in Heatley (Townsville City Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,099 in Cranbrook and $2,099 in Heatley. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Cranbrook and Heatley?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,655 from Cranbrook and $2,375 from Heatley to Townsville CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Cranbrook and $192 from Heatley.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Cranbrook and Heatley?
At 3% annual cost growth, Cranbrook costs a cumulative $112,885 and Heatley costs $107,955 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,930 in favour of Heatley. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Cranbrook and Heatley 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.