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 $179 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 the gap between these two is about $2,100, about $4 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Woree
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Portsmith | Woree | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,166 | $1,166 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,765 | $1,765 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,391 | $1,820 | -$429 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $3,700 | $3,450 | +$250 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,000 | $2,200 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $8,022 | $8,201 | -$179 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,823 | $6,573 | +$250 |
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 | 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 differ by $179 a year by car, but $250 of that is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On the sourced costs, council rates, water and the commute, the gap is $429, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $429 per year. Woree is 5.6 km from Cairns CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $250 per year, $6,823 from Portsmith versus $6,573 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 $250 a year, $3,450 against $3,700.
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 | $8,022 | $8,201 | $179 |
| Year 3 | $24,795 | $25,348 | $553 |
| Year 5 | $42,590 | $43,540 | $950 |
| Year 10 | $91,963 | $94,015 | $2,052 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Portsmith or Woree cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Portsmith runs $8,022 a year by car and Woree $8,201, but most of the $179 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $429. 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 $91,963 and Woree costs $94,015 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,052 in favour of Portsmith. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Portsmith and Woree suits you better?
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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 insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.