Living in a house in Cowley costs about $13,894 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. Cowley sits 89.6 kilometres from Cairns CBD. Unit costs come in at $9,194, as lower council rates more than offset the $1,400 body corporate levy. At 89.6km, the commute dominates running costs. Drivers pay $3,722 more per year than public transport users.
Cassowary Coast Regional Council 2026-27 · minimum rate
$1,415
Water & sewerage
Cairns Regional Council Water & Sewerage 2026-27, standing in
$1,765
Driving commute
ATO 91c/km · 89.6km from Cairns CBD · 192 days
$3,914
Home insurance
Estimated · flood Low · fire Low
$6,800
Body corporate
Estimated
$1,400
Total annual running cost
$13,894
($1,158/month)
↓ 10% below Cassowary Coast Regional Council average
SuburbCost affordability score ●●●○○5.9/10 Average
Cheaper to run than 45% of Cassowary Coast 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 Cowley'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 Cowley
within a 2 km walk
Nearest stop
No scheduled service within a 2 km walk of the suburb centre.
Supermarkets
0
Cafes
0
Parks
0
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.
Is it cheaper to drive or take public transport from Cowley to Cairns CBD?
Public transport saves Cowley residents $3,722 per year. Annual commute cost by car is $3,914 versus $192 by public transport using Translink's flat 50 cent fare.
What are the council rates in Cowley?
Cowley falls under Cassowary Coast Regional Council. The minimum residential general rate for 2026-27 is $1,415 per year for an owner-occupied house. Properties on higher land value pay more. Unit owners in strata schemes pay $1,415 per year. These figures cover the general rate only and exclude waste and cleansing charges. Water and sewerage on this page is Cairns Regional Council Water & Sewerage 2026-27's charge, standing in until this council's own schedule is loaded.
What does it cost to run a unit in Cowley?
Running a unit in Cowley costs approximately $9,194 per year by car or $5,472 by public transport. This includes council rates of $1,415, 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.
Is Cowley close to public transport?
No scheduled public transport stop was found within a 2 km walk of the centre of Cowley. The running cost on this page assumes driving, which is why the commute component is the largest line for most suburbs in this position.
What shops and parks are in Cowley?
Within a 2 km walk of the centre of Cowley there are 0 supermarkets, 0 cafes and 0 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: Cassowary Coast 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.