Manunda vs Parramatta Park: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Manunda and Parramatta Park are both Cairns Regional Council suburbs, sitting 3.1 km and 1.6 km from Cairns CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $7 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. 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 →Manunda
Parramatta Park
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Manunda | Parramatta Park | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,166 | $1,166 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,765 | $1,765 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $1,041 | $548 | +$493 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $6,000 | $6,500 | -$500 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,200 | $3,200 | -$1,000 |
| Total (driving) | $9,972 | $9,979 | -$7 |
| Total (public transport) | $9,123 | $9,623 | -$500 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Manunda | Parramatta Park | 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 — Manunda vs Parramatta Park (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Manunda and Parramatta Park cost within $7 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $80, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $500 per year.
On public transport the gap is $500 per year, $9,123 from Manunda versus $9,623 from Parramatta Park.
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 Parramatta Park by $493 a year, $548 against $1,041.
- Building insurance favours Manunda by $500 a year, $6,000 against $6,500.
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.
The catchment state school scores 3.2 in Parramatta Park against 1 in Manunda, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Manunda cumulative | Parramatta Park cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,972 | $9,979 | $7 |
| Year 3 | $30,822 | $30,844 | $22 |
| Year 5 | $52,943 | $52,980 | $37 |
| Year 10 | $114,318 | $114,398 | $80 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Manunda or Parramatta Park cheaper to live in?
Manunda is cheaper to run by car at $9,972 per year versus $9,979 for Parramatta Park, a difference of $7 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Manunda and Parramatta Park?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,166 in Manunda (Cairns Regional Council) and $1,166 in Parramatta Park (Cairns Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,765 in Manunda and $1,765 in Parramatta Park. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Manunda and Parramatta Park?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,041 from Manunda and $548 from Parramatta Park to Cairns CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Manunda and $192 from Parramatta Park.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Manunda and Parramatta Park?
At 3% annual cost growth, Manunda costs a cumulative $114,318 and Parramatta Park costs $114,398 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $80 in favour of Manunda. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Manunda and Parramatta Park 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: 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.