Gulliver vs Pimlico, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Gulliver and Pimlico are both Townsville City Council suburbs, sitting 5.2 km and 3.9 km from Townsville CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Pimlico runs $652 a year cheaper than Gulliver, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $7,475.
Over 10 years, Pimlico costs about $7,500 less to run than Gulliver. That's about $14 a week.
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Pimlico
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Gulliver | Pimlico | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,343 | $1,343 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,099 | $2,099 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,699 | $1,297 | +$402 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $4,150 | $3,900 | +$250 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,200 | $2,200 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,291 | $8,639 | +$652 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,784 | $7,534 | +$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 | Gulliver | Pimlico | 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, Gulliver vs Pimlico (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Pimlico costs $652 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $7,475 in favour of Pimlico.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $402 per year. Gulliver is 5.2 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, $7,784 from Gulliver versus $7,534 from Pimlico.
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 Pimlico by $402 a year, $1,297 against $1,699.
- Building insurance favours Pimlico 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 6.7 in Pimlico against 3.6 in Gulliver, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Gulliver cumulative | Pimlico cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,291 | $8,639 | $652 |
| Year 3 | $28,718 | $26,702 | $2,016 |
| Year 5 | $49,327 | $45,866 | $3,461 |
| Year 10 | $106,511 | $99,036 | $7,475 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Gulliver or Pimlico cheaper to live in?
Pimlico is cheaper to run by car at $8,639 per year versus $9,291 for Gulliver, a difference of $652 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Gulliver and Pimlico?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,343 in Gulliver (Townsville City Council) and $1,343 in Pimlico (Townsville City Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,099 in Gulliver and $2,099 in Pimlico. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Gulliver and Pimlico?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,699 from Gulliver and $1,297 from Pimlico to Townsville CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Gulliver and $192 from Pimlico.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Gulliver and Pimlico?
At 3% annual cost growth, Gulliver costs a cumulative $106,511 and Pimlico costs $99,036 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $7,475 in favour of Pimlico. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Gulliver and Pimlico 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.