Moresby vs Warrubullen, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Moresby and Warrubullen are both Cassowary Coast Regional Council suburbs, sitting 84.5 km and 88.4 km from Cairns CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $170 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, Moresby costs about $1,900 less to run than Warrubullen. That's about $4 a week.
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Warrubullen
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Moresby | Warrubullen | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,415 | $1,415 | - |
| Water & sewerage Estimated stand-in | $1,765 | $1,765 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $3,691 | $3,861 | -$170 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $3,691 | $3,861 | -$170 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $3,650 | $3,650 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,400 | $1,400 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,521 | $10,691 | -$170 |
| Total (public transport) | $10,521 | $10,691 | -$170 |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Moresby's water charge is Cairns Regional Council Water & Sewerage's, standing in until its own council's schedule is loaded. Warrubullen'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 | Moresby | Warrubullen | 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, Moresby vs Warrubullen (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Moresby and Warrubullen cost within $170 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,949, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $170 per year. Warrubullen is 88.4 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, $10,521 and $10,691 a year, so the $170 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 Moresby by $170 a year, $3,691 against $3,861.
- Building insurance is identical at $3,650 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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Moresby cumulative | Warrubullen cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,521 | $10,691 | $170 |
| Year 3 | $32,519 | $33,045 | $526 |
| Year 5 | $55,857 | $56,760 | $903 |
| Year 10 | $120,611 | $122,560 | $1,949 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Moresby or Warrubullen cheaper to live in?
Moresby is cheaper to run by car at $10,521 per year versus $10,691 for Warrubullen, a difference of $170 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Moresby and Warrubullen?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,415 in Moresby (Cassowary Coast Regional Council) and $1,415 in Warrubullen (Cassowary Coast Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,765 in Moresby and $1,765 in Warrubullen. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Moresby and Warrubullen?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,691 from Moresby and $3,861 from Warrubullen 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 Moresby and Warrubullen?
At 3% annual cost growth, Moresby costs a cumulative $120,611 and Warrubullen costs $122,560 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,949 in favour of Moresby. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Moresby and Warrubullen 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.