Oonoonba vs Rosslea: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Oonoonba and Rosslea are both Townsville City Council suburbs, sitting 3.7 km and 4.6 km from Townsville CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Oonoonba runs $382 a year cheaper than Rosslea, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,379.
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 →Oonoonba
Rosslea
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Oonoonba | Rosslea | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,343 | $1,343 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,099 | $2,099 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $1,233 | $1,515 | -$282 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $4,200 | $4,300 | -$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,200 | $2,200 | - |
| Total (driving) | $8,875 | $9,257 | -$382 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,834 | $7,934 | -$100 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Oonoonba | Rosslea | 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 — Oonoonba vs Rosslea (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Oonoonba costs $382 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,379 in favour of Oonoonba.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $282 per year. Rosslea is 4.6 km from Townsville CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,834 and $7,934 a year, so the $382 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,343 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $2,099 a year.
- Driving commute favours Oonoonba by $282 a year, $1,233 against $1,515.
- Building insurance favours Oonoonba by $100 a year, $4,200 against $4,300.
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 | Oonoonba cumulative | Rosslea cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,875 | $9,257 | $382 |
| Year 3 | $27,432 | $28,612 | $1,180 |
| Year 5 | $47,119 | $49,147 | $2,028 |
| Year 10 | $101,742 | $106,121 | $4,379 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Oonoonba or Rosslea cheaper to live in?
Oonoonba is cheaper to run by car at $8,875 per year versus $9,257 for Rosslea, a difference of $382 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Oonoonba and Rosslea?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,343 in Oonoonba (Townsville City Council) and $1,343 in Rosslea (Townsville City Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,099 in Oonoonba and $2,099 in Rosslea. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Oonoonba and Rosslea?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,233 from Oonoonba and $1,515 from Rosslea to Townsville CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Oonoonba and $192 from Rosslea.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Oonoonba and Rosslea?
At 3% annual cost growth, Oonoonba costs a cumulative $101,742 and Rosslea costs $106,121 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,379 in favour of Oonoonba. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Oonoonba and Rosslea 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: Townsville City Council and Townsville City 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.