Horseshoe Bay vs Nelly Bay, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Horseshoe Bay and Nelly Bay are both Townsville City Council suburbs, sitting 15.4 km and 11.7 km from Townsville CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Nelly Bay runs $855 a year cheaper than Horseshoe Bay, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $9,801.
Over 10 years, Nelly Bay costs about $9,800 less to run than Horseshoe Bay. That's about $19 a week.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict → Personalise this comparison with your own commute, home type and loan →Horseshoe Bay
Nelly Bay
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Horseshoe Bay | Nelly Bay | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,343 | $1,343 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,099 | $2,099 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $4,345 | $3,490 | +$855 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $4,150 | $4,150 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,200 | $2,600 | -$400 |
| Total (driving) | $11,937 | $11,082 | +$855 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,784 | $7,784 | - |
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 | Horseshoe Bay | Nelly Bay | 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, Horseshoe Bay vs Nelly Bay (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Nelly Bay costs $855 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $9,801 in favour of Nelly Bay.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $855 per year. Horseshoe Bay is 15.4 km from Townsville CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,784 and $7,784 a year, so the $855 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
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 Nelly Bay by $855 a year, $3,490 against $4,345.
- Building insurance is identical at $4,150 a year.
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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Horseshoe Bay cumulative | Nelly Bay cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,937 | $11,082 | $855 |
| Year 3 | $36,896 | $34,253 | $2,643 |
| Year 5 | $63,375 | $58,836 | $4,539 |
| Year 10 | $136,844 | $127,043 | $9,801 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Horseshoe Bay or Nelly Bay cheaper to live in?
Nelly Bay is cheaper to run by car at $11,082 per year versus $11,937 for Horseshoe Bay, a difference of $855 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Horseshoe Bay and Nelly Bay?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,343 in Horseshoe Bay (Townsville City Council) and $1,343 in Nelly Bay (Townsville City Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,099 in Horseshoe Bay and $2,099 in Nelly Bay. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Horseshoe Bay and Nelly Bay?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,345 from Horseshoe Bay and $3,490 from Nelly Bay to Townsville CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Horseshoe Bay and $192 from Nelly Bay.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Horseshoe Bay and Nelly Bay?
At 3% annual cost growth, Horseshoe Bay costs a cumulative $136,844 and Nelly Bay costs $127,043 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $9,801 in favour of Nelly Bay. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Horseshoe Bay and Nelly Bay suits you better?
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 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.