Macalister Range vs Palm Cove: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Macalister Range and Palm Cove are both Cairns Regional Council suburbs, sitting 20.3 km and 22.4 km from Cairns CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Macalister Range runs $342 a year cheaper than Palm Cove, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,920.
Over 10 years these two cost about the same to run. The difference here isn't money — it's location, schools and lifestyle.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Macalister Range
Palm Cove
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Macalister Range | Palm Cove | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,166 | $1,166 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,765 | $1,765 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,294 | $5,636 | -$342 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $6,800 | $6,800 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,400 | $2,200 | -$800 |
| Total (driving) | $15,025 | $15,367 | -$342 |
| Total (public transport) | $9,923 | $9,923 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Macalister Range | Palm Cove | 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 — Macalister Range vs Palm Cove (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Macalister Range costs $342 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,920 in favour of Macalister Range.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $342 per year. Palm Cove is 22.4 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, $9,923 and $9,923 a year, so the $342 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,166 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,765 a year.
- Driving commute favours Macalister Range by $342 a year, $5,294 against $5,636.
- Building insurance is identical at $6,800 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 | Macalister Range cumulative | Palm Cove cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $15,025 | $15,367 | $342 |
| Year 3 | $46,441 | $47,498 | $1,057 |
| Year 5 | $79,770 | $81,585 | $1,815 |
| Year 10 | $172,245 | $176,165 | $3,920 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Macalister Range or Palm Cove cheaper to live in?
Macalister Range is cheaper to run by car at $15,025 per year versus $15,367 for Palm Cove, a difference of $342 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Macalister Range and Palm Cove?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,166 in Macalister Range (Cairns Regional Council) and $1,166 in Palm Cove (Cairns Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,765 in Macalister Range and $1,765 in Palm Cove. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Macalister Range and Palm Cove?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,294 from Macalister Range and $5,636 from Palm Cove to Cairns CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Macalister Range and $192 from Palm Cove.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Macalister Range and Palm Cove?
At 3% annual cost growth, Macalister Range costs a cumulative $172,245 and Palm Cove costs $176,165 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,920 in favour of Macalister Range. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Macalister Range and Palm Cove 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.
Related comparisons
Sources: Cairns Regional Council and Cairns Regional 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.