Hermit Park vs Pimlico: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Hermit Park and Pimlico are both Townsville City Council suburbs, sitting 3 km and 3.9 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Hermit Park runs $678 a year cheaper than Pimlico, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $7,772.
Over 10 years these two cost about the same to run. The difference here isn't money — it's location, schools and lifestyle.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Hermit Park
Pimlico
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Hermit Park | Pimlico | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,343 | $1,343 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,099 | $2,099 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $976 | $1,254 | -$278 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $4,200 | $4,600 | -$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $3,200 | $2,200 | +$1,000 |
| Total (driving) | $8,618 | $9,296 | -$678 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,834 | $8,234 | -$400 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Hermit Park | Pimlico | 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 — Hermit Park vs Pimlico (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Hermit Park costs $678 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $7,772 in favour of Hermit Park.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $400 per year.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $7,834 from Hermit Park versus $8,234 from Pimlico.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Hermit Park cumulative | Pimlico cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,618 | $9,296 | $678 |
| Year 3 | $26,637 | $28,733 | $2,096 |
| Year 5 | $45,754 | $49,354 | $3,600 |
| Year 10 | $98,796 | $106,568 | $7,772 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hermit Park or Pimlico cheaper to live in?
Hermit Park is cheaper to run by car at $8,618 per year versus $9,296 for Pimlico, a difference of $678 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. 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 $976 from Hermit Park and $1,254 from Pimlico to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/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 $98,796 and Pimlico costs $106,568 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $7,772 in favour of Hermit Park. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Hermit Park and Pimlico 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: 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.