Manoora vs Manunda, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Manoora and Manunda are both Cairns Regional Council suburbs, sitting 4.4 km and 3.1 km from Cairns CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Manunda runs $512 a year cheaper than Manoora, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,869.
Over 10 years, Manunda costs about $5,900 less to run than Manoora. That's about $11 a week.
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Manunda
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Manoora | Manunda | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,166 | $1,166 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,765 | $1,765 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,453 | $1,041 | +$412 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $3,450 | $3,350 | +$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,200 | $2,200 | - |
| Total (driving) | $7,834 | $7,322 | +$512 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,573 | $6,473 | +$100 |
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 | Manoora | Manunda | 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, Manoora vs Manunda (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Manunda costs $512 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,869 in favour of Manunda.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $412 per year. Manoora is 4.4 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, $6,573 and $6,473 a year, so the $512 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 Manunda by $412 a year, $1,041 against $1,453.
- Building insurance favours Manunda by $100 a year, $3,350 against $3,450.
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 | Manoora cumulative | Manunda cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,834 | $7,322 | $512 |
| Year 3 | $24,214 | $22,632 | $1,582 |
| Year 5 | $41,592 | $38,873 | $2,719 |
| Year 10 | $89,808 | $83,939 | $5,869 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Manoora or Manunda cheaper to live in?
Manunda is cheaper to run by car at $7,322 per year versus $7,834 for Manoora, a difference of $512 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Manoora and Manunda?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,166 in Manoora (Cairns Regional Council) and $1,166 in Manunda (Cairns Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,765 in Manoora and $1,765 in Manunda. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Manoora and Manunda?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,453 from Manoora and $1,041 from Manunda to Cairns CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Manoora and $192 from Manunda.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Manoora and Manunda?
At 3% annual cost growth, Manoora costs a cumulative $89,808 and Manunda costs $83,939 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,869 in favour of Manunda. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Manoora and Manunda suits you better?
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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 insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.