Holloways Beach vs Yorkeys Knob: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/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 Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Holloways Beach runs $992 a year cheaper than Yorkeys Knob, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $11,372.
Over 10 years, Holloways Beach costs about $11,400 less to run than Yorkeys Knob — the same as paying $11,400 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 | $1,165 | $1,165 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,765 | $1,765 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,855 | $3,447 | -$592 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $6,800 | $7,200 | -$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,600 | $2,400 | +$200 |
| Total (driving) | $12,585 | $13,577 | -$992 |
| Total (public transport) | $9,922 | $10,322 | -$400 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Holloways Beach | Yorkeys Knob | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,218 | $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 — Holloways Beach vs Yorkeys Knob (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Holloways Beach costs $992 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $11,372 in favour of Holloways Beach.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $592 per year. Yorkeys Knob is 12 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $9,922 from Holloways Beach versus $10,322 from Yorkeys Knob.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Holloways Beach cumulative | Yorkeys Knob cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,585 | $13,577 | $992 |
| Year 3 | $38,899 | $41,965 | $3,066 |
| Year 5 | $66,815 | $72,082 | $5,267 |
| Year 10 | $144,273 | $155,645 | $11,372 |
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 $12,585 per year versus $13,577 for Yorkeys Knob, a difference of $992 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/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 $1,165 in Holloways Beach (Cairns Regional Council) and $1,165 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 $2,855 from Holloways Beach and $3,447 from Yorkeys Knob to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/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 $144,273 and Yorkeys Knob costs $155,645 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $11,372 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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Sources: Cairns Regional Council and Cairns Regional 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.