Stuart vs Wulguru: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Stuart and Wulguru are both Townsville City Council suburbs, sitting 8.3 km and 7.7 km from Townsville CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Wulguru runs $768 a year cheaper than Stuart, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $8,804.
Over 10 years, Wulguru costs about $8,800 less to run than Stuart — the same as paying $8,800 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) | $2,600 | $2,432 | +$168 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $4,800 | $4,200 | +$600 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,000 | $2,200 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $10,842 | $10,074 | +$768 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,434 | $7,834 | +$600 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Stuart | Wulguru | 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 — Stuart vs Wulguru (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Wulguru costs $768 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $8,804 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.
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 Wulguru by $168 a year, $2,432 against $2,600.
- Building insurance favours Wulguru by $600 a year, $4,200 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 | Stuart cumulative | Wulguru cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,842 | $10,074 | $768 |
| Year 3 | $33,512 | $31,138 | $2,374 |
| Year 5 | $57,562 | $53,484 | $4,078 |
| Year 10 | $124,291 | $115,487 | $8,804 |
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 $10,074 per year versus $10,842 for Stuart, a difference of $768 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/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 $2,600 from Stuart and $2,432 from Wulguru to Townsville CBD (ATO 91c/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 $124,291 and Wulguru costs $115,487 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $8,804 in favour of Wulguru. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Stuart and Wulguru 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.
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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 AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.