Glen Allyn vs North Johnstone, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Glen Allyn and North Johnstone are both Tablelands Regional Council suburbs, sitting 52.3 km and 47.6 km from Cairns CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Glen Allyn runs $408 a year cheaper than North Johnstone, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,677.
Over 10 years, Glen Allyn costs about $4,700 less to run than North Johnstone. That's about $9 a week.
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North Johnstone
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Glen Allyn | North Johnstone | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,189 | $1,189 | - |
| Water & sewerage Estimated stand-in | $1,765 | $1,765 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,328 | $6,736 | -$408 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,328 | $6,736 | -$408 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,450 | $2,450 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,400 | $1,800 | -$400 |
| Total (driving) | $11,732 | $12,140 | -$408 |
| Total (public transport) | $11,732 | $12,140 | -$408 |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Glen Allyn's water charge is Cairns Regional Council Water & Sewerage's, standing in until its own council's schedule is loaded. North Johnstone's water charge is Cairns Regional Council Water & Sewerage's, standing in until its own council's schedule is loaded. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Glen Allyn | North Johnstone | 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, Glen Allyn vs North Johnstone (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Glen Allyn costs $408 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,677 in favour of Glen Allyn.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $408 per year. Glen Allyn is 52.3 km from Cairns CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $408 per year, $11,732 from Glen Allyn versus $12,140 from North Johnstone.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,189 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,765 a year.
- Driving commute favours Glen Allyn by $408 a year, $6,328 against $6,736.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,450 a year.
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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Glen Allyn cumulative | North Johnstone cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,732 | $12,140 | $408 |
| Year 3 | $36,262 | $37,524 | $1,262 |
| Year 5 | $62,287 | $64,453 | $2,166 |
| Year 10 | $134,494 | $139,171 | $4,677 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Glen Allyn or North Johnstone cheaper to live in?
Glen Allyn is cheaper to run by car at $11,732 per year versus $12,140 for North Johnstone, a difference of $408 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Glen Allyn and North Johnstone?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,189 in Glen Allyn (Tablelands Regional Council) and $1,189 in North Johnstone (Tablelands Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,765 in Glen Allyn and $1,765 in North Johnstone. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Glen Allyn and North Johnstone?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,328 from Glen Allyn and $6,736 from North Johnstone to Cairns CBD (ATO 91c/km). No daily public transport commute is assumed from either suburb, so both are costed by car.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Glen Allyn and North Johnstone?
At 3% annual cost growth, Glen Allyn costs a cumulative $134,494 and North Johnstone costs $139,171 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,677 in favour of Glen Allyn. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Glen Allyn and North Johnstone suits you better?
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Sources: Tablelands Regional Council and Tablelands 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.