Earlville vs Woree: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Earlville and Woree are both Cairns Regional Council suburbs, sitting 5.9 km and 5.6 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Woree runs $687 a year cheaper than Earlville, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $7,875.
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 →Earlville
Woree
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Earlville | Woree | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,165 | $1,165 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,765 | $1,765 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $1,847 | $1,760 | +$87 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $6,800 | $6,200 | +$600 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,200 | $2,200 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,577 | $10,890 | +$687 |
| Total (public transport) | $9,922 | $9,322 | +$600 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Earlville | Woree | 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 — Earlville vs Woree (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Woree costs $687 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $7,875 in favour of Woree.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $600 per year.
On public transport the gap is $600 per year, $9,922 from Earlville versus $9,322 from Woree.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Earlville cumulative | Woree cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,577 | $10,890 | $687 |
| Year 3 | $35,783 | $33,660 | $2,123 |
| Year 5 | $61,464 | $57,816 | $3,648 |
| Year 10 | $132,717 | $124,842 | $7,875 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Earlville or Woree cheaper to live in?
Woree is cheaper to run by car at $10,890 per year versus $11,577 for Earlville, a difference of $687 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Earlville and Woree?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,165 in Earlville (Cairns Regional Council) and $1,165 in Woree (Cairns Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,765 in Earlville and $1,765 in Woree. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Earlville and Woree?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,847 from Earlville and $1,760 from Woree to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Earlville and $192 from Woree.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Earlville and Woree?
At 3% annual cost growth, Earlville costs a cumulative $132,717 and Woree costs $124,842 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $7,875 in favour of Woree. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Earlville and Woree 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.