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3.1 km from Cairns CBD
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True annual cost of living in Bungalow, QLD 4870

Living in a house in Bungalow costs about $10,472 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. Bungalow sits 3.1 kilometres from Cairns CBD. Unit costs come in at $6,892, as lower council rates more than offset the $2,200 body corporate levy. Transport mode has the biggest effect on total cost in a suburb this close to the city.

Last updated July 2026 · Cairns Regional Council rates 2026-27, ATO 91c/km, AER electricity benchmarks

3 key insights

Cheaper to run than 95% of Cairns Regional Council suburbs, about 42% below the regional average.
Home insurance is the biggest expense at $6,500, roughly 62% of the annual total.
Switching from driving to public transport saves $849 a year.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →
House annual cost
$10,472
Driving · per year
$873/month
Lower cost
Unit annual cost
$6,892
Incl. body corporate
$574/month
House vs unit difference
−$3,580
Unit is cheaper per year

Annual cost breakdown

Council rates
Cairns Regional Council 2026-27 · minimum rate
$1,166
Water & sewerage
Cairns Regional Council Water & Sewerage 2026-27
$1,765
Driving commute
ATO 91c/km · 3.1km from Cairns CBD · 192 days
$1,041
Home insurance
Estimated · flood Low · fire Low
$6,500
Total annual running cost
$10,472
($873/month)
↓ 42% below Cairns Regional Council average
SuburbCost affordability score ●●●●○ 8.0/10 Excellent
Cheaper to run than 95% of Cairns Regional Council suburbs. Score blends running cost (50%), schools (20%) and flood & fire risk (30%).

Estimated electricity cost

typical 2-person household
House
$2,373/yr
5,933 kWh
Unit
$1,945/yr
4,450 kWh
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for Bungalow's climate zone at 2026-27 regulated prices for its electricity network. Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.

Getting around Bungalow

within a 2 km walk
Nearest stop
Cairns, 1,994 m away, about a 25 minute walk. It is a train stop.
Nearest hospital
Medicare Centre, 2,501 m away, about a 31 minute walk.
Supermarkets
2
Cafes
8
Parks
23
Counted from OpenStreetMap via Overpass inside a 2 km walking radius of the suburb centre, built 2026-08-07. Distances are straight line from that centre, so a specific address can be closer or further. Mapping is contributed and can lag a new opening.

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Frequently asked questions about Bungalow

Is it cheaper to drive or take public transport from Bungalow to Cairns CBD?

Public transport saves Bungalow residents $849 per year. Annual commute cost by car is $1,041 versus $192 by public transport using Translink's flat 50 cent fare.

What are the council rates in Bungalow?

Bungalow falls under Cairns Regional Council. The minimum residential general rate for 2026-27 is $1,166 per year for an owner-occupied house. Properties on higher land value pay more. Unit owners in strata schemes pay $1,166 per year. These figures cover the general rate only and exclude waste and cleansing charges.

What does it cost to run a unit in Bungalow?

Running a unit in Bungalow costs approximately $6,892 per year by car or $6,043 by public transport. This includes council rates of $1,166, water and sewerage $1,765, estimated body corporate levy of $2,200, and contents insurance of $720. Body corporate fees vary significantly between buildings. Always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.

Is Bungalow close to public transport?

The nearest scheduled service to the centre of Bungalow is Cairns, a train stop about 1,994 m away, about a 25 minute walk. That is measured from the suburb centre, so an individual address can be nearer or further. The commute figure used in the running cost on this page assumes driving, not this service.

What is the closest hospital to Bungalow?

The closest hospital to the centre of Bungalow is Medicare Centre, about 2,501 m away, about a 31 minute walk. Distance is straight line from the suburb centre and does not account for the road route or whether the hospital has an emergency department.

What shops and parks are in Bungalow?

Within a 2 km walk of the centre of Bungalow there are 2 supermarkets, 8 cafes and 23 parks. These counts come from OpenStreetMap via Overpass, which is contributed mapping and can lag a recent opening or closure.

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Data sources: Council rates: Cairns Regional Council 2026-27. Water: Cairns Regional Council Water & Sewerage 2026-27. Commute: ATO cents per kilometre rate 2026–27 (91c/km). Insurance: AI-estimated, disclosed as estimate. Schools: ACARA ICSEA 2025. Risk: Queensland Globe, QFES. Data updated 2026-07.
Cost estimates are for comparison purposes only and do not constitute financial, insurance, or credit advice.