Currajah vs Wangan: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Currajah and Wangan are both Cairns Regional Council suburbs, sitting 76.6 km and 76.7 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Wangan runs $696 a year cheaper than Currajah, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $7,979.
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 →Currajah
Wangan
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Currajah | Wangan | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,165 | $1,165 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,765 | $1,765 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,236 | $3,240 | -$4 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $7,200 | $6,500 | +$700 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,400 | $1,500 | -$100 |
| Total (driving) | $13,366 | $12,670 | +$696 |
| Total (public transport) | $10,322 | $9,622 | +$700 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Currajah | Wangan | 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 — Currajah vs Wangan (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Wangan costs $696 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $7,979 in favour of Wangan.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $700 per year.
On public transport the gap is $700 per year, $10,322 from Currajah versus $9,622 from Wangan.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Currajah cumulative | Wangan cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $13,366 | $12,670 | $696 |
| Year 3 | $41,313 | $39,162 | $2,151 |
| Year 5 | $70,962 | $67,267 | $3,695 |
| Year 10 | $153,226 | $145,247 | $7,979 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Currajah or Wangan cheaper to live in?
Wangan is cheaper to run by car at $12,670 per year versus $13,366 for Currajah, a difference of $696 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Currajah and Wangan?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,165 in Currajah (Cairns Regional Council) and $1,165 in Wangan (Cairns Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,765 in Currajah and $1,765 in Wangan. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Currajah and Wangan?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,236 from Currajah and $3,240 from Wangan to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Currajah and $192 from Wangan.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Currajah and Wangan?
At 3% annual cost growth, Currajah costs a cumulative $153,226 and Wangan costs $145,247 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $7,979 in favour of Wangan. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Currajah and Wangan 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: Cairns Regional Council and Cairns Regional 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.