Portsmith 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
Portsmith and Westcourt are both Cairns Regional Council suburbs, sitting 4.2 km and 3 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Westcourt runs $369 a year cheaper than Portsmith, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,230.
Over 10 years these two cost about the same to run. The difference here isn't money — it's location, schools and lifestyle.
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Westcourt
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Portsmith | Westcourt | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,165 | $1,165 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,765 | $1,765 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $1,345 | $976 | +$369 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $6,800 | $6,800 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,000 | $2,200 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $11,075 | $10,706 | +$369 |
| Total (public transport) | $9,922 | $9,922 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Portsmith | 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 — Portsmith vs Westcourt (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Westcourt costs $369 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,230 in favour of Westcourt.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $369 per year. Portsmith is 4.2 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $9,922 and $9,922 a year, so the $369 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Portsmith cumulative | Westcourt cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,075 | $10,706 | $369 |
| Year 3 | $34,232 | $33,091 | $1,141 |
| Year 5 | $58,799 | $56,840 | $1,959 |
| Year 10 | $126,962 | $122,732 | $4,230 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Portsmith or Westcourt cheaper to live in?
Westcourt is cheaper to run by car at $10,706 per year versus $11,075 for Portsmith, a difference of $369 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Portsmith and Westcourt?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,165 in Portsmith (Cairns Regional Council) and $1,165 in Westcourt (Cairns Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,765 in Portsmith 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 Portsmith and Westcourt?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,345 from Portsmith and $976 from Westcourt to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Portsmith and $192 from Westcourt.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Portsmith and Westcourt?
At 3% annual cost growth, Portsmith costs a cumulative $126,962 and Westcourt costs $122,732 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,230 in favour of Westcourt. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Portsmith and Westcourt 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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.