Parramatta Park vs Westcourt: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Parramatta Park and Westcourt are both Cairns Regional Council suburbs, sitting 1.6 km and 3 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Parramatta Park runs $746 a year cheaper than Westcourt, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $8,552.
Over 10 years, Parramatta Park costs about $8,600 less to run than Westcourt — the same as paying $8,600 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Westcourt
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Parramatta Park | Westcourt | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,165 | $1,165 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,765 | $1,765 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $530 | $976 | -$446 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $6,500 | $6,800 | -$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $3,200 | $2,200 | +$1,000 |
| Total (driving) | $9,960 | $10,706 | -$746 |
| Total (public transport) | $9,622 | $9,922 | -$300 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Parramatta Park | Westcourt | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,218 | $2,218 | - |
| Unit | $1,773 | $1,773 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2025 rates (QLD 30c/kWh, NSW 33c/kWh incl. supply charge; unit ≈ 75% of a house). Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Cost breakdown chart
Annual cost breakdown — Parramatta Park vs Westcourt (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Parramatta Park costs $746 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $8,552 in favour of Parramatta Park.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $446 per year. Westcourt is 3 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $9,622 from Parramatta Park versus $9,922 from Westcourt.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Parramatta Park cumulative | Westcourt cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,960 | $10,706 | $746 |
| Year 3 | $30,785 | $33,091 | $2,306 |
| Year 5 | $52,879 | $56,840 | $3,961 |
| Year 10 | $114,180 | $122,732 | $8,552 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Parramatta Park or Westcourt cheaper to live in?
Parramatta Park is cheaper to run by car at $9,960 per year versus $10,706 for Westcourt, a difference of $746 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Parramatta Park and Westcourt?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,165 in Parramatta Park (Cairns Regional Council) and $1,165 in Westcourt (Cairns Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,765 in Parramatta Park and $1,765 in Westcourt. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Parramatta Park and Westcourt?
Annual driving commute costs are $530 from Parramatta Park and $976 from Westcourt to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Parramatta Park and $192 from Westcourt.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Parramatta Park and Westcourt?
At 3% annual cost growth, Parramatta Park costs a cumulative $114,180 and Westcourt costs $122,732 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $8,552 in favour of Parramatta Park. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Parramatta Park and Westcourt is best to actually live in?
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Sources: Cairns Regional Council and Cairns Regional Council rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.