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47.2 km from CBD
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True annual cost of living in Butchers Creek, QLD 4885

Living in a house in Butchers Creek costs about $16,269 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. Butchers Creek sits 47.2 kilometres from Brisbane CBD. Unit costs come in at $11,729, as lower council rates more than offset the $1,500 body corporate levy. At 47.2km, the commute dominates running costs. Drivers pay $6,347 more per year than public transport users.

Last updated July 2026 · Cairns Regional Council rates 2026-27, ATO 88c/km, AER electricity benchmarks

3 key insights
Cheaper to run than 31% of Cairns Regional Council suburbs, about 5% below the regional average.
Home insurance is the biggest expense at $6,800, roughly 42% of the annual total.
Switching from driving to public transport saves $6,347 a year, a significant saving at this distance.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →
House annual cost
$16,269
Driving · per year
$1,356/month
Lower cost
Unit annual cost
$11,729
Incl. body corporate
$977/month
House vs unit difference
−$4,540
Unit is cheaper per year
Annual cost breakdown
Council rates
Cairns Regional Council 2026-27 · minimum rate
$1,165
Water & sewerage
Cairns Regional Council Water & Sewerage 2026-27
$1,765
Driving commute
ATO 88c/km · 47.2km from CBD · 192 days
$6,539
Home insurance
Estimated · flood Low · fire Low
$6,800
Total annual running cost
$16,269
($1,356/month)
↓ 5% below Cairns Regional Council average
SuburbCost affordability score ●●●○○ 5.4/10 Average
Cheaper to run than 31% 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
$2,218/yr
5,933 kWh
Unit
$1,773/yr
4,450 kWh
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for Butchers Creek's climate zone at 2025 rates. Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Compare Butchers Creek with another suburb
Is it cheaper to drive or take public transport from Butchers Creek to the CBD?
Public transport saves Butchers Creek residents $6,347 per year. Annual commute cost by car is $6,539 versus $192 by public transport using Translink's flat 50 cent fare.
What are the council rates in Butchers Creek?
Butchers Creek falls under Cairns Regional Council. The minimum residential general rate for 2026-27 is $1,165 per year for an owner-occupied house. Properties on higher land value pay more. Unit owners in strata schemes pay $1,165 per year. These figures cover the general rate only and exclude waste and cleansing charges.
What does it cost to run a unit in Butchers Creek?
Running a unit in Butchers Creek costs approximately $11,729 per year by car or $5,382 by public transport. This includes council rates of $1,165, water and sewerage $1,765, estimated body corporate levy of $1,500, and contents insurance of $760. Body corporate fees vary significantly between buildings. Always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.

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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 2025–26 (88c/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.