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 $150 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 $1,700, about $3 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Wrights Creek
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Edmonton | Wrights Creek | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,166 | $1,166 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,765 | $1,765 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $3,490 | $3,440 | +$50 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $3,450 | $3,650 | -$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,000 | $2,000 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,871 | $10,021 | -$150 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,573 | $6,773 | -$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 | 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 differ by $150 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 $50, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $200 per year.
On public transport the gap is $200 per year, $6,573 from Edmonton versus $6,773 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 $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 | Edmonton cumulative | Wrights Creek cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,871 | $10,021 | $150 |
| Year 3 | $30,510 | $30,974 | $464 |
| Year 5 | $52,406 | $53,203 | $797 |
| Year 10 | $113,160 | $114,880 | $1,720 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Edmonton or Wrights Creek cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Edmonton runs $9,871 a year by car and Wrights Creek $10,021, but most of the $150 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $50. 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 $113,160 and Wrights Creek costs $114,880 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,720 in favour of Edmonton. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Edmonton and Wrights Creek suits you better?
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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 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.