Mena Creek vs Utchee Creek, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Mena Creek and Utchee Creek are both Cassowary Coast Regional Council suburbs, sitting 84.7 km and 80.9 km from Cairns CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $117 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, Utchee Creek costs about $1,300 less to run than Mena Creek. That's about $3 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 →Mena Creek
Utchee Creek
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Mena Creek | Utchee Creek | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,415 | $1,415 | - |
| Water & sewerage Estimated stand-in | $1,765 | $1,765 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $3,700 | $3,533 | +$167 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $3,700 | $3,533 | +$167 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $3,650 | $3,700 | -$50 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,600 | $1,500 | +$100 |
| Total (driving) | $10,530 | $10,413 | +$117 |
| Total (public transport) | $10,530 | $10,413 | +$117 |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Mena Creek's water charge is Cairns Regional Council Water & Sewerage's, standing in until its own council's schedule is loaded. Utchee Creek'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 | Mena Creek | Utchee Creek | 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, Mena Creek vs Utchee Creek (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Mena Creek and Utchee Creek cost within $117 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,342, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $167 per year. Mena Creek is 84.7 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, $10,530 and $10,413 a year, so the $117 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,415 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,765 a year.
- Driving commute favours Utchee Creek by $167 a year, $3,533 against $3,700.
- Building insurance favours Mena Creek by $50 a year, $3,650 against $3,700.
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 | Mena Creek cumulative | Utchee Creek cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,530 | $10,413 | $117 |
| Year 3 | $32,547 | $32,186 | $361 |
| Year 5 | $55,905 | $55,284 | $621 |
| Year 10 | $120,715 | $119,373 | $1,342 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mena Creek or Utchee Creek cheaper to live in?
Utchee Creek is cheaper to run by car at $10,413 per year versus $10,530 for Mena Creek, a difference of $117 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Mena Creek and Utchee Creek?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,415 in Mena Creek (Cassowary Coast Regional Council) and $1,415 in Utchee Creek (Cassowary Coast Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,765 in Mena Creek and $1,765 in Utchee Creek. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Mena Creek and Utchee Creek?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,700 from Mena Creek and $3,533 from Utchee Creek 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 Mena Creek and Utchee Creek?
At 3% annual cost growth, Mena Creek costs a cumulative $120,715 and Utchee Creek costs $119,373 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,342 in favour of Utchee Creek. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Mena Creek and Utchee Creek suits you better?
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Sources: Cassowary Coast Regional Council and Cassowary Coast 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.