Garbutt vs Rowes Bay, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Garbutt and Rowes Bay are both Townsville City Council suburbs, sitting 5.3 km and 4.1 km from Townsville CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $120 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 $1,400, about $3 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Rowes Bay
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Garbutt | Rowes Bay | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,343 | $1,343 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,099 | $2,099 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,729 | $1,359 | +$370 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $3,900 | $4,150 | -$250 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,400 | $2,200 | +$200 |
| Total (driving) | $9,071 | $8,951 | +$120 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,534 | $7,784 | -$250 |
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 | Garbutt | Rowes Bay | 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, Garbutt vs Rowes Bay (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Garbutt and Rowes Bay differ by $120 a year by car, but $250 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 $370, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $370 per year. Garbutt is 5.3 km from Townsville CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $250 per year, $7,534 from Garbutt versus $7,784 from Rowes Bay.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,343 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $2,099 a year.
- Driving commute favours Rowes Bay by $370 a year, $1,359 against $1,729.
- Building insurance favours Garbutt by $250 a year, $3,900 against $4,150.
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 7.4 in Rowes Bay against 1 in Garbutt, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Garbutt cumulative | Rowes Bay cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,071 | $8,951 | $120 |
| Year 3 | $28,038 | $27,667 | $371 |
| Year 5 | $48,159 | $47,522 | $637 |
| Year 10 | $103,989 | $102,613 | $1,376 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Garbutt or Rowes Bay cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Garbutt runs $9,071 a year by car and Rowes Bay $8,951, but most of the $120 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $370. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Garbutt and Rowes Bay?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,343 in Garbutt (Townsville City Council) and $1,343 in Rowes Bay (Townsville City Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,099 in Garbutt and $2,099 in Rowes Bay. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Garbutt and Rowes Bay?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,729 from Garbutt and $1,359 from Rowes Bay to Townsville CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Garbutt and $192 from Rowes Bay.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Garbutt and Rowes Bay?
At 3% annual cost growth, Garbutt costs a cumulative $103,989 and Rowes Bay costs $102,613 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,376 in favour of Rowes Bay. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Garbutt and Rowes Bay suits you better?
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Sources: Townsville City Council and Townsville City 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.