Kairi vs Lake Tinaroo, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Kairi and Lake Tinaroo are both Tablelands Regional Council suburbs, sitting 41.3 km and 36.8 km from Cairns CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $37 a year of each other to run, so running cost is a minor factor here. The decision comes down to schools, risk and lifestyle, all in the free report.
Over 10 years these two cost about the same to run.
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Lake Tinaroo
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Kairi | Lake Tinaroo | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,189 | $1,189 | - |
| Water & sewerage Estimated stand-in | $1,765 | $1,765 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,981 | $6,944 | +$37 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,981 | $6,944 | +$37 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,450 | $2,450 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,600 | $1,500 | +$100 |
| Total (driving) | $12,385 | $12,348 | +$37 |
| Total (public transport) | $12,385 | $12,348 | +$37 |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Kairi's water charge is Cairns Regional Council Water & Sewerage's, standing in until its own council's schedule is loaded. Lake Tinaroo's water charge is Cairns Regional Council Water & Sewerage's, standing in until its own council's schedule is loaded. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Kairi | Lake Tinaroo | 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, Kairi vs Lake Tinaroo (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Kairi and Lake Tinaroo cost within $37 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $424, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $37 per year. Kairi is 41.3 km from Cairns CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $12,385 and $12,348 a year, so the $37 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,189 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,765 a year.
- Driving commute favours Lake Tinaroo by $37 a year, $6,944 against $6,981.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,450 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 | Kairi cumulative | Lake Tinaroo cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,385 | $12,348 | $37 |
| Year 3 | $38,281 | $38,166 | $115 |
| Year 5 | $65,754 | $65,557 | $197 |
| Year 10 | $141,980 | $141,556 | $424 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kairi or Lake Tinaroo cheaper to live in?
Lake Tinaroo is cheaper to run by car at $12,348 per year versus $12,385 for Kairi, a difference of $37 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Kairi and Lake Tinaroo?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,189 in Kairi (Tablelands Regional Council) and $1,189 in Lake Tinaroo (Tablelands Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,765 in Kairi and $1,765 in Lake Tinaroo. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Kairi and Lake Tinaroo?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,981 from Kairi and $6,944 from Lake Tinaroo to Cairns CBD (ATO 91c/km). No daily public transport commute is assumed from either suburb, so both are costed by car.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Kairi and Lake Tinaroo?
At 3% annual cost growth, Kairi costs a cumulative $141,980 and Lake Tinaroo costs $141,556 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $424 in favour of Lake Tinaroo. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Kairi and Lake Tinaroo suits you better?
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Sources: Tablelands Regional Council and Tablelands Regional 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.