Holloways Beach vs Yorkeys Knob: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Holloways Beach and Yorkeys Knob are both Cairns Regional Council suburbs, sitting 9.6 km and 12 km from Cairns CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Holloways Beach runs $1,013 a year cheaper than Yorkeys Knob, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $11,613.
Over 10 years, Holloways Beach costs about $11,600 less to run than Yorkeys Knob — the same as paying $11,600 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Yorkeys Knob
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Holloways Beach | Yorkeys Knob | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,166 | $1,166 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,765 | $1,765 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,952 | $3,565 | -$613 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $6,800 | $7,200 | -$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,600 | $2,400 | +$200 |
| Total (driving) | $12,683 | $13,696 | -$1,013 |
| Total (public transport) | $9,923 | $10,323 | -$400 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Holloways Beach | Yorkeys Knob | 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 — Holloways Beach vs Yorkeys Knob (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Holloways Beach costs $1,013 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $11,613 in favour of Holloways Beach.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $613 per year. Yorkeys Knob is 12 km from Cairns CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $9,923 from Holloways Beach versus $10,323 from Yorkeys Knob.
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 Holloways Beach by $613 a year, $2,952 against $3,565.
- Building insurance favours Holloways Beach by $400 a year, $6,800 against $7,200.
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 in Yorkeys Knob against 4.6 in Holloways Beach, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Holloways Beach cumulative | Yorkeys Knob cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,683 | $13,696 | $1,013 |
| Year 3 | $39,202 | $42,333 | $3,131 |
| Year 5 | $67,336 | $72,714 | $5,378 |
| Year 10 | $145,396 | $157,009 | $11,613 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Holloways Beach or Yorkeys Knob cheaper to live in?
Holloways Beach is cheaper to run by car at $12,683 per year versus $13,696 for Yorkeys Knob, a difference of $1,013 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Holloways Beach and Yorkeys Knob?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,166 in Holloways Beach (Cairns Regional Council) and $1,166 in Yorkeys Knob (Cairns Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,765 in Holloways Beach and $1,765 in Yorkeys Knob. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Holloways Beach and Yorkeys Knob?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,952 from Holloways Beach and $3,565 from Yorkeys Knob to Cairns CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Holloways Beach and $192 from Yorkeys Knob.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Holloways Beach and Yorkeys Knob?
At 3% annual cost growth, Holloways Beach costs a cumulative $145,396 and Yorkeys Knob costs $157,009 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $11,613 in favour of Holloways Beach. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Holloways Beach and Yorkeys Knob is best to actually live in?
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Related comparisons
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 AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.