Cranbrook 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
Cranbrook and Kirwan are both Townsville City Council suburbs, sitting 8.5 km and 10.7 km from Townsville CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Cranbrook runs $984 a year cheaper than Kirwan, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $11,281.
Over 10 years, Cranbrook costs about $11,300 less to run than Kirwan — the same as paying $11,300 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) | $2,655 | $3,239 | -$584 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $4,400 | $4,800 | -$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,200 | $2,200 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,497 | $11,481 | -$984 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,034 | $8,434 | -$400 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Cranbrook | 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 — Cranbrook vs Kirwan (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Cranbrook costs $984 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $11,281 in favour of Cranbrook.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $584 per year. Kirwan is 10.7 km from Townsville CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $8,034 from Cranbrook versus $8,434 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 Cranbrook by $584 a year, $2,655 against $3,239.
- Building insurance favours Cranbrook by $400 a year, $4,400 against $4,800.
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 3.8 in Cranbrook, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Cranbrook cumulative | Kirwan cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,497 | $11,481 | $984 |
| Year 3 | $32,445 | $35,487 | $3,042 |
| Year 5 | $55,730 | $60,954 | $5,224 |
| Year 10 | $120,336 | $131,617 | $11,281 |
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 $10,497 per year versus $11,481 for Kirwan, a difference of $984 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/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 $2,655 from Cranbrook and $3,239 from Kirwan to Townsville CBD (ATO 91c/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 $120,336 and Kirwan costs $131,617 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $11,281 in favour of Cranbrook. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Cranbrook and Kirwan 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.
Related comparisons
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 AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.