Mooroobool vs Redlynch: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Mooroobool and Redlynch are both Cairns Regional Council suburbs, sitting 5.5 km and 8.8 km from Cairns CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Mooroobool runs $947 a year cheaper than Redlynch, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $10,856.
Over 10 years, Mooroobool costs about $10,900 less to run than Redlynch — the same as paying $10,900 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Mooroobool
Redlynch
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Mooroobool | Redlynch | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,166 | $1,166 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,765 | $1,765 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $1,790 | $2,737 | -$947 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $6,200 | $6,200 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,000 | $2,400 | -$400 |
| Total (driving) | $10,921 | $11,868 | -$947 |
| Total (public transport) | $9,323 | $9,323 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Mooroobool | Redlynch | 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 — Mooroobool vs Redlynch (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Mooroobool costs $947 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $10,856 in favour of Mooroobool.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $947 per year. Redlynch is 8.8 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, $9,323 and $9,323 a year, so the $947 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 Mooroobool by $947 a year, $1,790 against $2,737.
- Building insurance is identical at $6,200 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.
The catchment state school scores 5.3 in Redlynch against 1 in Mooroobool, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Mooroobool cumulative | Redlynch cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,921 | $11,868 | $947 |
| Year 3 | $33,756 | $36,683 | $2,927 |
| Year 5 | $57,981 | $63,009 | $5,028 |
| Year 10 | $125,197 | $136,053 | $10,856 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mooroobool or Redlynch cheaper to live in?
Mooroobool is cheaper to run by car at $10,921 per year versus $11,868 for Redlynch, a difference of $947 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Mooroobool and Redlynch?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,166 in Mooroobool (Cairns Regional Council) and $1,166 in Redlynch (Cairns Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,765 in Mooroobool and $1,765 in Redlynch. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Mooroobool and Redlynch?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,790 from Mooroobool and $2,737 from Redlynch to Cairns CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Mooroobool and $192 from Redlynch.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Mooroobool and Redlynch?
At 3% annual cost growth, Mooroobool costs a cumulative $125,197 and Redlynch costs $136,053 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $10,856 in favour of Mooroobool. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Mooroobool and Redlynch 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.