Miallo vs Newell, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Miallo and Newell are both Douglas Shire Council suburbs, sitting 71.7 km and 68.2 km from Cairns CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $183 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 the gap between these two is about $2,100, about $4 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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 →Miallo
Newell
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Miallo | Newell | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,400 | $1,400 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,765 | $1,765 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $3,132 | $3,515 | -$383 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $3,132 | $3,515 | -$383 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $3,700 | $3,500 | +$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,400 | $1,500 | -$100 |
| Total (driving) | $9,997 | $10,180 | -$183 |
| Total (public transport) | $9,997 | $10,180 | -$183 |
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 | Miallo | Newell | 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, Miallo vs Newell (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Miallo and Newell differ by $183 a year by car, but $200 of that is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On the sourced costs, council rates, water and the commute, the gap is $383, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $383 per year. Miallo is 71.7 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, $9,997 and $10,180 a year, so the $183 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,400 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,765 a year.
- Driving commute favours Miallo by $383 a year, $3,132 against $3,515.
- Building insurance favours Newell by $200 a year, $3,500 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 | Miallo cumulative | Newell cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,997 | $10,180 | $183 |
| Year 3 | $30,900 | $31,465 | $565 |
| Year 5 | $53,075 | $54,047 | $972 |
| Year 10 | $114,604 | $116,702 | $2,098 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Miallo or Newell cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Miallo runs $9,997 a year by car and Newell $10,180, but most of the $183 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $383. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Miallo and Newell?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,400 in Miallo (Douglas Shire Council) and $1,400 in Newell (Douglas Shire Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,765 in Miallo and $1,765 in Newell. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Miallo and Newell?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,132 from Miallo and $3,515 from Newell 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 Miallo and Newell?
At 3% annual cost growth, Miallo costs a cumulative $114,604 and Newell costs $116,702 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,098 in favour of Miallo. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Miallo and Newell suits you better?
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: Douglas Shire Council and Douglas Shire 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.