Edmonton vs Wrights Creek: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Edmonton and Wrights Creek are both Cairns Regional Council suburbs, sitting 11.7 km and 11.5 km from Cairns CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $250 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 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 →Edmonton
Wrights Creek
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Edmonton | Wrights Creek | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,166 | $1,166 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,765 | $1,765 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,490 | $3,440 | +$50 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $6,200 | $6,500 | -$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,000 | $2,000 | - |
| Total (driving) | $12,621 | $12,871 | -$250 |
| Total (public transport) | $9,323 | $9,623 | -$300 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Edmonton | Wrights Creek | 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 — Edmonton vs Wrights Creek (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Edmonton and Wrights Creek cost within $250 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,866, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $300 per year.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $9,323 from Edmonton versus $9,623 from Wrights Creek.
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 Wrights Creek by $50 a year, $3,440 against $3,490.
- Building insurance favours Edmonton by $300 a year, $6,200 against $6,500.
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 | Edmonton cumulative | Wrights Creek cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,621 | $12,871 | $250 |
| Year 3 | $39,010 | $39,783 | $773 |
| Year 5 | $67,007 | $68,334 | $1,327 |
| Year 10 | $144,686 | $147,552 | $2,866 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Edmonton or Wrights Creek cheaper to live in?
Edmonton is cheaper to run by car at $12,621 per year versus $12,871 for Wrights Creek, a difference of $250 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Edmonton and Wrights Creek?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,166 in Edmonton (Cairns Regional Council) and $1,166 in Wrights Creek (Cairns Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,765 in Edmonton and $1,765 in Wrights Creek. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Edmonton and Wrights Creek?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,490 from Edmonton and $3,440 from Wrights Creek to Cairns CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Edmonton and $192 from Wrights Creek.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Edmonton and Wrights Creek?
At 3% annual cost growth, Edmonton costs a cumulative $144,686 and Wrights Creek costs $147,552 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,866 in favour of Edmonton. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Edmonton and Wrights Creek 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.
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 AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.