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 $1,108 a year cheaper than North Johnstone, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $12,702.
Over 10 years, Glen Allyn costs about $12,700 less to run than North Johnstone — the same as paying $12,700 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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North Johnstone
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Glen Allyn | North Johnstone | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,189 | $1,189 | - |
| Water & sewerage stand-in | $1,765 | $1,765 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,328 | $6,736 | -$408 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $6,500 | $7,200 | -$700 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,400 | $1,800 | -$400 |
| Total (driving) | $15,782 | $16,890 | -$1,108 |
| Total (public transport) | $9,646 | $10,346 | -$700 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; 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 $1,108 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $12,702 in favour of Glen Allyn.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $700 per year.
On public transport the gap is $700 per year, $9,646 from Glen Allyn versus $10,346 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 favours Glen Allyn by $700 a year, $6,500 against $7,200.
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 | Glen Allyn cumulative | North Johnstone cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $15,782 | $16,890 | $1,108 |
| Year 3 | $48,781 | $52,205 | $3,424 |
| Year 5 | $83,789 | $89,671 | $5,882 |
| Year 10 | $180,923 | $193,625 | $12,702 |
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 $15,782 per year versus $16,890 for North Johnstone, a difference of $1,108 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). Public transport costs $192 from Glen Allyn and $192 from North Johnstone.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Glen Allyn and North Johnstone?
At 3% annual cost growth, Glen Allyn costs a cumulative $180,923 and North Johnstone costs $193,625 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $12,702 in favour of Glen Allyn. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Glen Allyn and North Johnstone 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: 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 AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.