Lake Eacham vs North Johnstone, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Lake Eacham and North Johnstone are both Tablelands Regional Council suburbs, sitting 44.1 km and 47.6 km from Cairns CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $179 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, North Johnstone costs about $2,100 less to run than Lake Eacham. That's about $4 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 →Lake Eacham
North Johnstone
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Lake Eacham | North Johnstone | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,189 | $1,189 | - |
| Water & sewerage Estimated stand-in | $1,765 | $1,765 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,915 | $6,736 | +$179 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,915 | $6,736 | +$179 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,450 | $2,450 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,300 | $1,800 | -$500 |
| Total (driving) | $12,319 | $12,140 | +$179 |
| Total (public transport) | $12,319 | $12,140 | +$179 |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Lake Eacham's water charge is Cairns Regional Council Water & Sewerage's, standing in until its own council's schedule is loaded. North Johnstone'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 | Lake Eacham | North Johnstone | 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, Lake Eacham vs North Johnstone (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Lake Eacham and North Johnstone cost within $179 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,053, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $179 per year. North Johnstone is 47.6 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, $12,319 and $12,140 a year, so the $179 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 North Johnstone by $179 a year, $6,736 against $6,915.
- 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.
The catchment state school scores 6.6 in Lake Eacham against 4.4 in North Johnstone, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Lake Eacham cumulative | North Johnstone cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,319 | $12,140 | $179 |
| Year 3 | $38,077 | $37,524 | $553 |
| Year 5 | $65,403 | $64,453 | $950 |
| Year 10 | $141,224 | $139,171 | $2,053 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lake Eacham or North Johnstone cheaper to live in?
North Johnstone is cheaper to run by car at $12,140 per year versus $12,319 for Lake Eacham, a difference of $179 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Lake Eacham and North Johnstone?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,189 in Lake Eacham (Tablelands Regional Council) and $1,189 in North Johnstone (Tablelands Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,765 in Lake Eacham and $1,765 in North Johnstone. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Lake Eacham and North Johnstone?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,915 from Lake Eacham and $6,736 from North Johnstone 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 Lake Eacham and North Johnstone?
At 3% annual cost growth, Lake Eacham costs a cumulative $141,224 and North Johnstone costs $139,171 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,053 in favour of North Johnstone. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Lake Eacham and North Johnstone 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.