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 $718 a year cheaper than Stuart, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $8,231.
Over 10 years the gap between these two is about $8,200, about $16 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Wulguru
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Stuart | Wulguru | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,343 | $1,343 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,099 | $2,099 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,600 | $2,432 | +$168 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $4,150 | $3,600 | +$550 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,000 | $2,200 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $10,192 | $9,474 | +$718 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,784 | $7,234 | +$550 |
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 | 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
Stuart and Wulguru differ by $718 a year by car, but $550 of that is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On the sourced costs, council rates, water and the commute, the gap is $168, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $550 per year.
On public transport the gap is $550 per year, $7,784 from Stuart versus $7,234 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 $550 a year, $3,600 against $4,150.
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 | $10,192 | $9,474 | $718 |
| Year 3 | $31,502 | $29,283 | $2,219 |
| Year 5 | $54,111 | $50,299 | $3,812 |
| Year 10 | $116,840 | $108,609 | $8,231 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Stuart or Wulguru cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Stuart runs $10,192 a year by car and Wulguru $9,474, but most of the $718 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $168. 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 $116,840 and Wulguru costs $108,609 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $8,231 in favour of Wulguru. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Stuart and Wulguru suits you better?
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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 insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.