Gumlow vs Rasmussen: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Gumlow and Rasmussen are both Townsville City Council suburbs, sitting 17.3 km and 14.3 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Rasmussen runs $1,114 a year cheaper than Gumlow, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $12,771.
Over 10 years, Rasmussen costs about $12,800 less to run than Gumlow — the same as paying $12,800 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Rasmussen
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Gumlow | Rasmussen | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,343 | $1,343 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,099 | $2,099 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,582 | $3,968 | +$614 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $4,600 | $4,100 | +$500 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $12,624 | $11,510 | +$1,114 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,234 | $7,734 | +$500 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Gumlow | Rasmussen | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,218 | $2,218 | - |
| Unit | $1,773 | $1,773 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2025 rates (QLD 30c/kWh, NSW 33c/kWh incl. supply charge; unit ≈ 75% of a house). Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Cost breakdown chart
Annual cost breakdown — Gumlow vs Rasmussen (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Rasmussen costs $1,114 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $12,771 in favour of Rasmussen.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $614 per year. Gumlow is 17.3 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the gap is $500 per year, $8,234 from Gumlow versus $7,734 from Rasmussen.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Gumlow cumulative | Rasmussen cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,624 | $11,510 | $1,114 |
| Year 3 | $39,020 | $35,576 | $3,444 |
| Year 5 | $67,023 | $61,108 | $5,915 |
| Year 10 | $144,720 | $131,949 | $12,771 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Gumlow or Rasmussen cheaper to live in?
Rasmussen is cheaper to run by car at $11,510 per year versus $12,624 for Gumlow, a difference of $1,114 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Gumlow and Rasmussen?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,343 in Gumlow (Townsville City Council) and $1,343 in Rasmussen (Townsville City Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,099 in Gumlow and $2,099 in Rasmussen. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Gumlow and Rasmussen?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,582 from Gumlow and $3,968 from Rasmussen to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Gumlow and $192 from Rasmussen.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Gumlow and Rasmussen?
At 3% annual cost growth, Gumlow costs a cumulative $144,720 and Rasmussen costs $131,949 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $12,771 in favour of Rasmussen. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Gumlow and Rasmussen is best to actually live in?
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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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.