Hyde 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
Hyde Park and Pimlico are both Townsville City Council suburbs, sitting 2.9 km and 3.9 km from Townsville CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Hyde Park runs $621 a year cheaper than Pimlico, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $7,119.
Over 10 years, Hyde Park costs about $7,100 less to run than Pimlico. That's about $14 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 →Hyde Park
Pimlico
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Hyde 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 | $976 | $1,297 | -$321 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $3,600 | $3,900 | -$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,800 | $2,200 | +$600 |
| Total (driving) | $8,018 | $8,639 | -$621 |
| 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 | Hyde 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, Hyde Park vs Pimlico (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Hyde Park costs $621 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $7,119 in favour of Hyde Park.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $321 per year. Pimlico is 3.9 km from Townsville CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $7,234 from Hyde 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 Hyde Park by $321 a year, $976 against $1,297.
- Building insurance favours Hyde 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 | Hyde Park cumulative | Pimlico cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,018 | $8,639 | $621 |
| Year 3 | $24,783 | $26,702 | $1,919 |
| Year 5 | $42,569 | $45,866 | $3,297 |
| Year 10 | $91,917 | $99,036 | $7,119 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hyde Park or Pimlico cheaper to live in?
Hyde Park is cheaper to run by car at $8,018 per year versus $8,639 for Pimlico, a difference of $621 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Hyde Park and Pimlico?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,343 in Hyde Park (Townsville City Council) and $1,343 in Pimlico (Townsville City Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,099 in Hyde 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 Hyde Park and Pimlico?
Annual driving commute costs are $976 from Hyde Park and $1,297 from Pimlico to Townsville CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Hyde Park and $192 from Pimlico.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Hyde Park and Pimlico?
At 3% annual cost growth, Hyde Park costs a cumulative $91,917 and Pimlico costs $99,036 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $7,119 in favour of Hyde Park. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Hyde Park and Pimlico 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.