South Townsville vs Townsville City: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
South Townsville and Townsville City are both Townsville City Council suburbs, sitting 1.6 km and 0 km from Townsville CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
South Townsville runs $566 a year cheaper than Townsville City, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,488.
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 →South Townsville
Townsville City
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | South Townsville | Townsville City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,343 | $1,343 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,099 | $2,099 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $548 | $514 | +$34 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $4,600 | $5,200 | -$600 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,200 | $4,800 | -$2,600 |
| Total (driving) | $8,590 | $9,156 | -$566 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,234 | $8,834 | -$600 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | South Townsville | Townsville City | 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 — South Townsville vs Townsville City (2026-27)
What the numbers show
South Townsville costs $566 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $6,488 in favour of South Townsville.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $600 per year. Townsville City carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $600 per year, $8,234 from South Townsville versus $8,834 from Townsville City.
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 Townsville City by $34 a year, $514 against $548.
- Building insurance favours South Townsville by $600 a year, $4,600 against $5,200.
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.
Flood risk is rated medium in Townsville City against low in South Townsville, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | South Townsville cumulative | Townsville City cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,590 | $9,156 | $566 |
| Year 3 | $26,551 | $28,300 | $1,749 |
| Year 5 | $45,605 | $48,610 | $3,005 |
| Year 10 | $98,475 | $104,963 | $6,488 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is South Townsville or Townsville City cheaper to live in?
South Townsville is cheaper to run by car at $8,590 per year versus $9,156 for Townsville City, a difference of $566 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in South Townsville and Townsville City?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,343 in South Townsville (Townsville City Council) and $1,343 in Townsville City (Townsville City Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,099 in South Townsville and $2,099 in Townsville City. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between South Townsville and Townsville City?
Annual driving commute costs are $548 from South Townsville and $514 from Townsville City to Townsville CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from South Townsville and $192 from Townsville City.
What is the 10-year cost difference between South Townsville and Townsville City?
At 3% annual cost growth, South Townsville costs a cumulative $98,475 and Townsville City costs $104,963 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,488 in favour of South Townsville. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of South Townsville and Townsville City 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.