Hermit Park 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
Hermit Park and Pimlico are both Townsville City Council suburbs, sitting 3 km and 3.9 km from Townsville CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Hermit Park runs $588 a year cheaper than Pimlico, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,740.
Over 10 years the gap between these two is about $6,700, about $13 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Pimlico
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Hermit Park | 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 | $1,009 | $1,297 | -$288 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $3,600 | $3,900 | -$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $3,200 | $2,200 | +$1,000 |
| Total (driving) | $8,051 | $8,639 | -$588 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,234 | $7,534 | -$300 |
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 | Hermit Park | 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, Hermit Park vs Pimlico (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Hermit Park and Pimlico differ by $588 a year by car, but $300 of that is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On the sourced costs, council rates, water and the commute, the gap is $288, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $300 per year.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $7,234 from Hermit Park 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 Hermit Park by $288 a year, $1,009 against $1,297.
- Building insurance favours Hermit Park by $300 a year, $3,600 against $3,900.
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 | Hermit Park cumulative | Pimlico cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,051 | $8,639 | $588 |
| Year 3 | $24,885 | $26,702 | $1,817 |
| Year 5 | $42,744 | $45,866 | $3,122 |
| Year 10 | $92,296 | $99,036 | $6,740 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hermit Park or Pimlico cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Hermit Park runs $8,051 a year by car and Pimlico $8,639, but most of the $588 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $288. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Hermit Park and Pimlico?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,343 in Hermit Park (Townsville City Council) and $1,343 in Pimlico (Townsville City Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,099 in Hermit Park 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 Hermit Park and Pimlico?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,009 from Hermit Park and $1,297 from Pimlico to Townsville CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Hermit Park and $192 from Pimlico.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Hermit Park and Pimlico?
At 3% annual cost growth, Hermit Park costs a cumulative $92,296 and Pimlico costs $99,036 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,740 in favour of Hermit Park. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Hermit Park 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.