Picnic Bay vs West Point, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Picnic Bay and West Point are both Townsville City Council suburbs, sitting 9.5 km and 13.3 km from Townsville CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Picnic Bay runs $950 a year cheaper than West Point, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $10,890.
Over 10 years, Picnic Bay costs about $10,900 less to run than West Point. That's about $21 a week.
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West Point
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Picnic Bay | West Point | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,343 | $1,343 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,099 | $2,099 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,925 | $3,875 | -$950 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $4,150 | $4,150 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,200 | $2,000 | +$200 |
| Total (driving) | $10,517 | $11,467 | -$950 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,784 | $7,784 | - |
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 | Picnic Bay | West Point | 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, Picnic Bay vs West Point (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Picnic Bay costs $950 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $10,890 in favour of Picnic Bay.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $950 per year. West Point is 13.3 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, $7,784 and $7,784 a year, so the $950 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 Picnic Bay by $950 a year, $2,925 against $3,875.
- Building insurance is identical at $4,150 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 | Picnic Bay cumulative | West Point cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,517 | $11,467 | $950 |
| Year 3 | $32,507 | $35,443 | $2,936 |
| Year 5 | $55,836 | $60,880 | $5,044 |
| Year 10 | $120,566 | $131,456 | $10,890 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Picnic Bay or West Point cheaper to live in?
Picnic Bay is cheaper to run by car at $10,517 per year versus $11,467 for West Point, a difference of $950 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Picnic Bay and West Point?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,343 in Picnic Bay (Townsville City Council) and $1,343 in West Point (Townsville City Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,099 in Picnic Bay and $2,099 in West Point. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Picnic Bay and West Point?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,925 from Picnic Bay and $3,875 from West Point to Townsville CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Picnic Bay and $192 from West Point.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Picnic Bay and West Point?
At 3% annual cost growth, Picnic Bay costs a cumulative $120,566 and West Point costs $131,456 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $10,890 in favour of Picnic Bay. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Picnic Bay and West Point suits you better?
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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 insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.