Cranbrook vs Heatley: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Cranbrook and Heatley are both Townsville City Council suburbs, sitting 8.5 km and 7.5 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Heatley runs $470 a year cheaper than Cranbrook, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,389.
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 →Cranbrook
Heatley
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Cranbrook | Heatley | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,343 | $1,343 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,099 | $2,099 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,567 | $2,297 | +$270 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $4,400 | $4,200 | +$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,200 | $2,000 | +$200 |
| Total (driving) | $10,409 | $9,939 | +$470 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,034 | $7,834 | +$200 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Cranbrook | Heatley | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,218 | $2,218 | - |
| Unit | $1,773 | $1,773 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2025 rates (QLD 30c/kWh, NSW 33c/kWh incl. supply charge; 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 $470 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,389 in favour of Heatley.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $270 per year. Cranbrook is 8.5 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the gap is $200 per year, $8,034 from Cranbrook versus $7,834 from Heatley.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Cranbrook cumulative | Heatley cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,409 | $9,939 | $470 |
| Year 3 | $32,173 | $30,720 | $1,453 |
| Year 5 | $55,263 | $52,768 | $2,495 |
| Year 10 | $119,328 | $113,939 | $5,389 |
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 $9,939 per year versus $10,409 for Cranbrook, a difference of $470 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/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 $2,567 from Cranbrook and $2,297 from Heatley to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/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 $119,328 and Heatley costs $113,939 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,389 in favour of Heatley. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Cranbrook and Heatley 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: Townsville City Council and Townsville City Council rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.