Stuart vs Wulguru: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Stuart and Wulguru are both Townsville City Council suburbs, sitting 8.3 km and 7.7 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Wulguru runs $762 a year cheaper than Stuart, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $8,735.
Over 10 years, Wulguru costs about $8,700 less to run than Stuart — the same as paying $8,700 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Wulguru
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Stuart | Wulguru | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,343 | $1,343 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,099 | $2,099 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,514 | $2,352 | +$162 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $4,800 | $4,200 | +$600 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,000 | $2,200 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $10,756 | $9,994 | +$762 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,434 | $7,834 | +$600 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Stuart | Wulguru | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,218 | $2,218 | - |
| Unit | $1,773 | $1,773 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2025 rates (QLD 30c/kWh, NSW 33c/kWh incl. supply charge; unit ≈ 75% of a house). Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Cost breakdown chart
Annual cost breakdown — Stuart vs Wulguru (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Wulguru costs $762 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $8,735 in favour of Wulguru.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $600 per year.
On public transport the gap is $600 per year, $8,434 from Stuart versus $7,834 from Wulguru.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Stuart cumulative | Wulguru cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,756 | $9,994 | $762 |
| Year 3 | $33,246 | $30,890 | $2,356 |
| Year 5 | $57,105 | $53,060 | $4,045 |
| Year 10 | $123,305 | $114,570 | $8,735 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Stuart or Wulguru cheaper to live in?
Wulguru is cheaper to run by car at $9,994 per year versus $10,756 for Stuart, a difference of $762 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Stuart and Wulguru?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,343 in Stuart (Townsville City Council) and $1,343 in Wulguru (Townsville City Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,099 in Stuart and $2,099 in Wulguru. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Stuart and Wulguru?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,514 from Stuart and $2,352 from Wulguru to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Stuart and $192 from Wulguru.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Stuart and Wulguru?
At 3% annual cost growth, Stuart costs a cumulative $123,305 and Wulguru costs $114,570 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $8,735 in favour of Wulguru. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Stuart and Wulguru is best to actually live in?
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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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.