Smithfield vs Yorkeys Knob, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Smithfield and Yorkeys Knob are both Cairns Regional Council suburbs, sitting 14 km and 12 km from Cairns CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Yorkeys Knob runs $421 a year cheaper than Smithfield, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,826.
Over 10 years, Yorkeys Knob costs about $4,800 less to run than Smithfield. That's about $9 a week.
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Yorkeys Knob
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Smithfield | Yorkeys Knob | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,166 | $1,166 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,765 | $1,765 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $4,036 | $3,565 | +$471 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $3,650 | $3,700 | -$50 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,800 | $2,400 | +$400 |
| Total (driving) | $10,617 | $10,196 | +$421 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,773 | $6,823 | -$50 |
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 | Smithfield | Yorkeys Knob | 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, Smithfield vs Yorkeys Knob (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Yorkeys Knob costs $421 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,826 in favour of Yorkeys Knob.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $471 per year. Smithfield is 14 km from Cairns CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $6,773 and $6,823 a year, so the $421 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
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 Yorkeys Knob by $471 a year, $3,565 against $4,036.
- Building insurance favours Smithfield by $50 a year, $3,650 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 | Smithfield cumulative | Yorkeys Knob cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,617 | $10,196 | $421 |
| Year 3 | $32,816 | $31,515 | $1,301 |
| Year 5 | $56,367 | $54,132 | $2,235 |
| Year 10 | $121,712 | $116,886 | $4,826 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Smithfield or Yorkeys Knob cheaper to live in?
Yorkeys Knob is cheaper to run by car at $10,196 per year versus $10,617 for Smithfield, a difference of $421 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Smithfield and Yorkeys Knob?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,166 in Smithfield (Cairns Regional Council) and $1,166 in Yorkeys Knob (Cairns Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,765 in Smithfield and $1,765 in Yorkeys Knob. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Smithfield and Yorkeys Knob?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,036 from Smithfield and $3,565 from Yorkeys Knob to Cairns CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Smithfield and $192 from Yorkeys Knob.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Smithfield and Yorkeys Knob?
At 3% annual cost growth, Smithfield costs a cumulative $121,712 and Yorkeys Knob costs $116,886 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,826 in favour of Yorkeys Knob. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Smithfield and Yorkeys Knob 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.