Kelso vs Rasmussen: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Kelso and Rasmussen are both Townsville City Council suburbs, sitting 17.9 km and 14.3 km from Townsville CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Rasmussen runs $852 a year cheaper than Kelso, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $9,767.
Over 10 years, Rasmussen costs about $9,800 less to run than Kelso — the same as paying $9,800 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Rasmussen
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Kelso | Rasmussen | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,343 | $1,343 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,099 | $2,099 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,855 | $4,103 | +$752 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $4,200 | $4,100 | +$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,200 | $1,800 | +$400 |
| Total (driving) | $12,497 | $11,645 | +$852 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,834 | $7,734 | +$100 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Kelso | Rasmussen | 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 — Kelso vs Rasmussen (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Rasmussen costs $852 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $9,767 in favour of Rasmussen.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $752 per year. Kelso is 17.9 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, $7,834 and $7,734 a year, so the $852 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 Rasmussen by $752 a year, $4,103 against $4,855.
- Building insurance favours Rasmussen by $100 a year, $4,100 against $4,200.
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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Kelso cumulative | Rasmussen cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,497 | $11,645 | $852 |
| Year 3 | $38,627 | $35,994 | $2,633 |
| Year 5 | $66,348 | $61,825 | $4,523 |
| Year 10 | $143,264 | $133,497 | $9,767 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kelso or Rasmussen cheaper to live in?
Rasmussen is cheaper to run by car at $11,645 per year versus $12,497 for Kelso, a difference of $852 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Kelso and Rasmussen?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,343 in Kelso (Townsville City Council) and $1,343 in Rasmussen (Townsville City Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,099 in Kelso and $2,099 in Rasmussen. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Kelso and Rasmussen?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,855 from Kelso and $4,103 from Rasmussen to Townsville CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Kelso and $192 from Rasmussen.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Kelso and Rasmussen?
At 3% annual cost growth, Kelso costs a cumulative $143,264 and Rasmussen costs $133,497 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $9,767 in favour of Rasmussen. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Kelso and Rasmussen is best to actually live in?
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.
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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 AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.