Railway Estate vs South Townsville: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Railway Estate and South Townsville are both Townsville City Council suburbs, sitting 1.9 km and 1.6 km from Townsville CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Railway Estate runs $300 a year cheaper than South Townsville, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,439.
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 →Railway Estate
South Townsville
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Railway Estate | South Townsville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,343 | $1,343 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,099 | $2,099 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $648 | $548 | +$100 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $4,200 | $4,600 | -$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,000 | $2,200 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $8,290 | $8,590 | -$300 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,834 | $8,234 | -$400 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Railway Estate | South Townsville | 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 — Railway Estate vs South Townsville (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Railway Estate costs $300 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,439 in favour of Railway Estate.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $400 per year.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $7,834 from Railway Estate versus $8,234 from South Townsville.
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 South Townsville by $100 a year, $548 against $648.
- Building insurance favours Railway Estate by $400 a year, $4,200 against $4,600.
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 | Railway Estate cumulative | South Townsville cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,290 | $8,590 | $300 |
| Year 3 | $25,624 | $26,551 | $927 |
| Year 5 | $44,013 | $45,605 | $1,592 |
| Year 10 | $95,036 | $98,475 | $3,439 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Railway Estate or South Townsville cheaper to live in?
Railway Estate is cheaper to run by car at $8,290 per year versus $8,590 for South Townsville, a difference of $300 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Railway Estate and South Townsville?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,343 in Railway Estate (Townsville City Council) and $1,343 in South Townsville (Townsville City Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,099 in Railway Estate and $2,099 in South Townsville. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Railway Estate and South Townsville?
Annual driving commute costs are $648 from Railway Estate and $548 from South Townsville to Townsville CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Railway Estate and $192 from South Townsville.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Railway Estate and South Townsville?
At 3% annual cost growth, Railway Estate costs a cumulative $95,036 and South Townsville costs $98,475 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,439 in favour of Railway Estate. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Railway Estate and South Townsville 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: 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 AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.