Edge Hill vs Whitfield, 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 Whitfield are both Cairns Regional Council suburbs, sitting 4.3 km and 5.4 km from Cairns CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $138 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 $1,600, about $3 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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
Whitfield
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Edge Hill | Whitfield | 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 | $1,760 | -$338 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $3,650 | $3,450 | +$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,200 | $2,200 | - |
| Total (driving) | $8,003 | $8,141 | -$138 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,773 | $6,573 | +$200 |
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 | Whitfield | 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 Whitfield (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Edge Hill and Whitfield differ by $138 a year by car, but $200 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 $338, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $338 per year. Whitfield is 5.4 km from Cairns CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $200 per year, $6,773 from Edge Hill versus $6,573 from Whitfield.
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 Edge Hill by $338 a year, $1,422 against $1,760.
- Building insurance favours Whitfield by $200 a year, $3,450 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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Edge Hill cumulative | Whitfield cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,003 | $8,141 | $138 |
| Year 3 | $24,736 | $25,163 | $427 |
| Year 5 | $42,489 | $43,222 | $733 |
| Year 10 | $91,745 | $93,327 | $1,582 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Edge Hill or Whitfield cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Edge Hill runs $8,003 a year by car and Whitfield $8,141, but most of the $138 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $338. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Edge Hill and Whitfield?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,166 in Edge Hill (Cairns Regional Council) and $1,166 in Whitfield (Cairns Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,765 in Edge Hill and $1,765 in Whitfield. 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 Whitfield?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,422 from Edge Hill and $1,760 from Whitfield to Cairns CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Edge Hill and $192 from Whitfield.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Edge Hill and Whitfield?
At 3% annual cost growth, Edge Hill costs a cumulative $91,745 and Whitfield costs $93,327 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,582 in favour of Edge Hill. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Edge Hill and Whitfield 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.