Currajah vs Wangan, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Currajah and Wangan are both Cassowary Coast Regional Council suburbs, sitting 76.6 km and 76.7 km from Cairns CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $246 a year of each other to run, so running cost is a minor factor here. The decision comes down to schools, risk and lifestyle, all in the free report.
Over 10 years the gap between these two is about $2,800, about $5 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Wangan
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Currajah | Wangan | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,415 | $1,415 | - |
| Water & sewerage Estimated stand-in | $1,765 | $1,765 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $3,346 | $3,350 | -$4 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $3,346 | $3,350 | -$4 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $3,700 | $3,450 | +$250 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,400 | $1,500 | -$100 |
| Total (driving) | $10,226 | $9,980 | +$246 |
| Total (public transport) | $10,226 | $9,980 | +$246 |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Currajah's water charge is Cairns Regional Council Water & Sewerage's, standing in until its own council's schedule is loaded. Wangan's water charge is Cairns Regional Council Water & Sewerage's, standing in until its own council's schedule is loaded. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Currajah | Wangan | 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, Currajah vs Wangan (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Currajah and Wangan differ by $246 a year by car, but $250 of that is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On the sourced costs, council rates, water and the commute, the gap is $4, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $250 per year.
On public transport the gap is $246 per year, $10,226 from Currajah versus $9,980 from Wangan.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,415 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,765 a year.
- Driving commute favours Currajah by $4 a year, $3,346 against $3,350.
- Building insurance favours Wangan by $250 a year, $3,450 against $3,700.
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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Currajah cumulative | Wangan cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,226 | $9,980 | $246 |
| Year 3 | $31,608 | $30,847 | $761 |
| Year 5 | $54,291 | $52,985 | $1,306 |
| Year 10 | $117,230 | $114,410 | $2,820 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Currajah or Wangan cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Currajah runs $10,226 a year by car and Wangan $9,980, but most of the $246 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $4. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Currajah and Wangan?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,415 in Currajah (Cassowary Coast Regional Council) and $1,415 in Wangan (Cassowary Coast 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 $3,346 from Currajah and $3,350 from Wangan to Cairns CBD (ATO 91c/km). No daily public transport commute is assumed from either suburb, so both are costed by car.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Currajah and Wangan?
At 3% annual cost growth, Currajah costs a cumulative $117,230 and Wangan costs $114,410 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,820 in favour of Wangan. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Currajah and Wangan suits you better?
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Sources: Cassowary Coast Regional Council and Cassowary Coast Regional 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.