Portsmith vs Woree: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Portsmith and Woree are both Cairns Regional Council suburbs, sitting 4.2 km and 5.6 km from Cairns CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $171 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 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 →Portsmith
Woree
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Portsmith | Woree | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,166 | $1,166 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,765 | $1,765 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $1,391 | $1,820 | -$429 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $6,800 | $6,200 | +$600 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,000 | $2,200 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $11,122 | $10,951 | +$171 |
| Total (public transport) | $9,923 | $9,323 | +$600 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Portsmith | Woree | 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 — Portsmith vs Woree (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Portsmith and Woree cost within $171 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,960, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $600 per year.
On public transport the gap is $600 per year, $9,923 from Portsmith versus $9,323 from Woree.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,166 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,765 a year.
- Driving commute favours Portsmith by $429 a year, $1,391 against $1,820.
- Building insurance favours Woree by $600 a year, $6,200 against $6,800.
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 | Portsmith cumulative | Woree cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,122 | $10,951 | $171 |
| Year 3 | $34,377 | $33,848 | $529 |
| Year 5 | $59,048 | $58,140 | $908 |
| Year 10 | $127,501 | $125,541 | $1,960 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Portsmith or Woree cheaper to live in?
Woree is cheaper to run by car at $10,951 per year versus $11,122 for Portsmith, a difference of $171 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Portsmith and Woree?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,166 in Portsmith (Cairns Regional Council) and $1,166 in Woree (Cairns Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,765 in Portsmith and $1,765 in Woree. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Portsmith and Woree?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,391 from Portsmith and $1,820 from Woree to Cairns CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Portsmith and $192 from Woree.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Portsmith and Woree?
At 3% annual cost growth, Portsmith costs a cumulative $127,501 and Woree costs $125,541 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,960 in favour of Woree. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Portsmith and Woree 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.
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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 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.