Cranbrook vs Kirwan: 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 Kirwan are both Townsville City Council suburbs, sitting 8.5 km and 10.7 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Cranbrook runs $965 a year cheaper than Kirwan, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $11,062.
Over 10 years, Cranbrook costs about $11,100 less to run than Kirwan — the same as paying $11,100 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Kirwan
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Cranbrook | Kirwan | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,343 | $1,343 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,099 | $2,099 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,567 | $3,132 | -$565 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $4,400 | $4,800 | -$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,200 | $2,200 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,409 | $11,374 | -$965 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,034 | $8,434 | -$400 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Cranbrook | Kirwan | 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 Kirwan (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Cranbrook costs $965 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $11,062 in favour of Cranbrook.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $565 per year. Kirwan is 10.7 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $8,034 from Cranbrook versus $8,434 from Kirwan.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Cranbrook cumulative | Kirwan cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,409 | $11,374 | $965 |
| Year 3 | $32,173 | $35,156 | $2,983 |
| Year 5 | $55,263 | $60,386 | $5,123 |
| Year 10 | $119,328 | $130,390 | $11,062 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cranbrook or Kirwan cheaper to live in?
Cranbrook is cheaper to run by car at $10,409 per year versus $11,374 for Kirwan, a difference of $965 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Cranbrook and Kirwan?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,343 in Cranbrook (Townsville City Council) and $1,343 in Kirwan (Townsville City Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,099 in Cranbrook 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 Cranbrook and Kirwan?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,567 from Cranbrook and $3,132 from Kirwan to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Cranbrook and $192 from Kirwan.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Cranbrook and Kirwan?
At 3% annual cost growth, Cranbrook costs a cumulative $119,328 and Kirwan costs $130,390 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $11,062 in favour of Cranbrook. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Cranbrook and Kirwan is best to actually live in?
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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.