Annual cost of living in Chillagoe, QLD 4871

Living in a house in Chillagoe costs about $27,730 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. Chillagoe sits 121.2 kilometres from Brisbane CBD. Unit costs come in at $22,630, as lower council rates more than offset the $1,400 body corporate levy. At 121.2km, the commute dominates running costs. Drivers pay $17,408 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

Costs 61% more to run than the Cairns Regional Council average, cheaper than only 17% of suburbs in the region.

The commute is the biggest expense at $17,600, roughly 63% of the annual total.

Switching from driving to public transport saves $17,408 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

$27,730

Driving · per year

$2,311/month

Lower cost

Unit annual cost

$22,630

Incl. body corporate

$1,886/month

House vs unit difference

−$5,100

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 · 121.2km from CBD · 192 days

$17,600

Home insurance

Estimated · flood Low · fire Low

$7,200

Total annual running cost

$27,730

($2,311/month)

↑ 61% above Cairns Regional Council average

SuburbCost affordability score ●●○○○ 4.2/10 Poor

Cheaper to run than 17% 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 Chillagoe's climate zone at 2025 rates. Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.

Compare Chillagoe with another suburb

Nearby: No nearby suburbs with data found

Is it cheaper to drive or take public transport from Chillagoe to the CBD?

Public transport saves Chillagoe residents $17,408 per year. Annual commute cost by car is $17,600 versus $192 by public transport using Translink's flat 50 cent fare.

What are the council rates in Chillagoe?

Chillagoe 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 Chillagoe?

Running a unit in Chillagoe costs approximately $22,630 per year by car or $5,222 by public transport. This includes council rates of $1,165, water and sewerage $1,765, estimated body corporate levy of $1,400, and contents insurance of $700. 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.

True annual cost of living in Chillagoe, QLD 4871

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