Saunders Beach vs Yabulu: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Saunders Beach and Yabulu are both Townsville City Council suburbs, sitting 24.6 km and 23.4 km from Townsville CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Yabulu runs $568 a year cheaper than Saunders Beach, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,512.
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 →Saunders Beach
Yabulu
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Saunders Beach | Yabulu | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,343 | $1,343 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,099 | $2,099 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,953 | $5,785 | +$168 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $4,800 | $4,400 | +$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,600 | +$200 |
| Total (driving) | $14,195 | $13,627 | +$568 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,434 | $8,034 | +$400 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Saunders Beach | Yabulu | 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 — Saunders Beach vs Yabulu (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Yabulu costs $568 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $6,512 in favour of Yabulu.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $400 per year.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $8,434 from Saunders Beach versus $8,034 from Yabulu.
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 Yabulu by $168 a year, $5,785 against $5,953.
- Building insurance favours Yabulu by $400 a year, $4,400 against $4,800.
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 | Saunders Beach cumulative | Yabulu cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $14,195 | $13,627 | $568 |
| Year 3 | $43,875 | $42,120 | $1,755 |
| Year 5 | $75,363 | $72,348 | $3,015 |
| Year 10 | $162,730 | $156,218 | $6,512 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Saunders Beach or Yabulu cheaper to live in?
Yabulu is cheaper to run by car at $13,627 per year versus $14,195 for Saunders Beach, a difference of $568 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Saunders Beach and Yabulu?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,343 in Saunders Beach (Townsville City Council) and $1,343 in Yabulu (Townsville City Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,099 in Saunders Beach and $2,099 in Yabulu. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Saunders Beach and Yabulu?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,953 from Saunders Beach and $5,785 from Yabulu to Townsville CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Saunders Beach and $192 from Yabulu.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Saunders Beach and Yabulu?
At 3% annual cost growth, Saunders Beach costs a cumulative $162,730 and Yabulu costs $156,218 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,512 in favour of Yabulu. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Saunders Beach and Yabulu 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.