Green Hill vs Packers Camp, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Green Hill and Packers Camp are both Cairns Regional Council suburbs, sitting 13.8 km and 11.7 km from Cairns CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Packers Camp runs $551 a year cheaper than Green Hill, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,316.
Over 10 years, Packers Camp costs about $6,300 less to run than Green Hill. That's about $12 a week.
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Packers Camp
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Green Hill | Packers Camp | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,166 | $1,166 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,765 | $1,765 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $3,991 | $3,490 | +$501 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $3,700 | $3,650 | +$50 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,622 | $10,071 | +$551 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,823 | $6,773 | +$50 |
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 | Green Hill | Packers Camp | 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, Green Hill vs Packers Camp (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Packers Camp costs $551 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $6,316 in favour of Packers Camp.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $501 per year. Green Hill is 13.8 km from Cairns CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $6,823 and $6,773 a year, so the $551 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
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 Packers Camp by $501 a year, $3,490 against $3,991.
- Building insurance favours Packers Camp by $50 a year, $3,650 against $3,700.
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 | Green Hill cumulative | Packers Camp cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,622 | $10,071 | $551 |
| Year 3 | $32,832 | $31,128 | $1,704 |
| Year 5 | $56,394 | $53,468 | $2,926 |
| Year 10 | $121,769 | $115,453 | $6,316 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Green Hill or Packers Camp cheaper to live in?
Packers Camp is cheaper to run by car at $10,071 per year versus $10,622 for Green Hill, a difference of $551 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Green Hill and Packers Camp?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,166 in Green Hill (Cairns Regional Council) and $1,166 in Packers Camp (Cairns Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,765 in Green Hill and $1,765 in Packers Camp. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Green Hill and Packers Camp?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,991 from Green Hill and $3,490 from Packers Camp to Cairns CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Green Hill and $192 from Packers Camp.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Green Hill and Packers Camp?
At 3% annual cost growth, Green Hill costs a cumulative $121,769 and Packers Camp costs $115,453 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,316 in favour of Packers Camp. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Green Hill and Packers Camp 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.