Edge Hill vs Manunda, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Edge Hill and Manunda are both Cairns Regional Council suburbs, sitting 4.3 km and 3.1 km from Cairns CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Manunda runs $681 a year cheaper than Edge Hill, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $7,806.
Over 10 years, Manunda costs about $7,800 less to run than Edge Hill. That's about $15 a week.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict → Personalise this comparison with your own commute, home type and loan →Edge Hill
Manunda
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Edge Hill | Manunda | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,166 | $1,166 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,765 | $1,765 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,422 | $1,041 | +$381 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $3,650 | $3,350 | +$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,200 | $2,200 | - |
| Total (driving) | $8,003 | $7,322 | +$681 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,773 | $6,473 | +$300 |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Edge Hill | Manunda | 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, Edge Hill vs Manunda (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Manunda costs $681 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $7,806 in favour of Manunda.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $381 per year. Edge Hill is 4.3 km from Cairns CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $6,773 from Edge Hill versus $6,473 from Manunda.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,166 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,765 a year.
- Driving commute favours Manunda by $381 a year, $1,041 against $1,422.
- Building insurance favours Manunda by $300 a year, $3,350 against $3,650.
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 6.4 in Edge Hill against 1 in Manunda, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Edge Hill cumulative | Manunda cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,003 | $7,322 | $681 |
| Year 3 | $24,736 | $22,632 | $2,104 |
| Year 5 | $42,489 | $38,873 | $3,616 |
| Year 10 | $91,745 | $83,939 | $7,806 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Edge Hill or Manunda cheaper to live in?
Manunda is cheaper to run by car at $7,322 per year versus $8,003 for Edge Hill, a difference of $681 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Edge Hill and Manunda?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,166 in Edge Hill (Cairns Regional Council) and $1,166 in Manunda (Cairns Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,765 in Edge Hill and $1,765 in Manunda. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Edge Hill and Manunda?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,422 from Edge Hill and $1,041 from Manunda to Cairns CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Edge Hill and $192 from Manunda.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Edge Hill and Manunda?
At 3% annual cost growth, Edge Hill costs a cumulative $91,745 and Manunda costs $83,939 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $7,806 in favour of Manunda. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Edge Hill and Manunda suits you better?
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: Cairns Regional Council and Cairns 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.