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.
The two sit within $200 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 $2,300, about $4 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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South Townsville
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Railway Estate | South Townsville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,343 | $1,343 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,099 | $2,099 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $648 | $548 | +$100 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $3,600 | $3,900 | -$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,000 | $2,200 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $7,690 | $7,890 | -$200 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,234 | $7,534 | -$300 |
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 | 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 and South Townsville differ by $200 a year by car, but $300 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 $100, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $300 per year.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $7,234 from Railway Estate versus $7,534 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 $300 a year, $3,600 against $3,900.
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 | $7,690 | $7,890 | $200 |
| Year 3 | $23,769 | $24,387 | $618 |
| Year 5 | $40,827 | $41,889 | $1,062 |
| Year 10 | $88,157 | $90,450 | $2,293 |
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?
Neither is named cheaper. Railway Estate runs $7,690 a year by car and South Townsville $7,890, but most of the $200 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $100. 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 $88,157 and South Townsville costs $90,450 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,293 in favour of Railway Estate. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Railway Estate and South Townsville 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.