Ellis Beach vs Palm Cove: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Ellis Beach and Palm Cove are both Cairns Regional Council suburbs, sitting 25.1 km and 22.4 km from Cairns CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Palm Cove runs $583 a year cheaper than Ellis Beach, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,684.
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 →Ellis Beach
Palm Cove
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Ellis Beach | Palm Cove | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,166 | $1,166 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,765 | $1,765 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,019 | $5,636 | +$383 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $7,000 | $6,800 | +$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,600 | $2,200 | -$600 |
| Total (driving) | $15,950 | $15,367 | +$583 |
| Total (public transport) | $10,123 | $9,923 | +$200 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Ellis Beach | Palm Cove | 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 — Ellis Beach vs Palm Cove (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Palm Cove costs $583 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $6,684 in favour of Palm Cove.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $383 per year. Ellis Beach is 25.1 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, $10,123 from Ellis Beach versus $9,923 from Palm Cove.
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 Palm Cove by $383 a year, $5,636 against $6,019.
- Building insurance favours Palm Cove by $200 a year, $6,800 against $7,000.
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 | Ellis Beach cumulative | Palm Cove cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $15,950 | $15,367 | $583 |
| Year 3 | $49,300 | $47,498 | $1,802 |
| Year 5 | $84,681 | $81,585 | $3,096 |
| Year 10 | $182,849 | $176,165 | $6,684 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ellis Beach or Palm Cove cheaper to live in?
Palm Cove is cheaper to run by car at $15,367 per year versus $15,950 for Ellis Beach, a difference of $583 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Ellis Beach and Palm Cove?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,166 in Ellis Beach (Cairns Regional Council) and $1,166 in Palm Cove (Cairns Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,765 in Ellis Beach and $1,765 in Palm Cove. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Ellis Beach and Palm Cove?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,019 from Ellis Beach and $5,636 from Palm Cove to Cairns CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Ellis Beach and $192 from Palm Cove.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Ellis Beach and Palm Cove?
At 3% annual cost growth, Ellis Beach costs a cumulative $182,849 and Palm Cove costs $176,165 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,684 in favour of Palm Cove. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Ellis Beach and Palm Cove 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 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.