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Map of Cranbrook
8.5 km from Townsville CBD
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True annual cost of living in Cranbrook, QLD 4814

Living in a house in Cranbrook costs about $10,497 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. Cranbrook sits 8.5 kilometres from Townsville CBD. Unit costs come in at $8,937, as lower council rates more than offset the $2,200 body corporate levy. Switching from driving to public transport saves $2,463 per year at this distance.

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

3 key insights

Cheaper to run than 74% of Townsville City Council suburbs, about 20% below the regional average.
Home insurance is the biggest expense at $4,400, roughly 42% of the annual total.
Switching from driving to public transport saves $2,463 a year.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →
House annual cost
$10,497
Driving · per year
$875/month
Lower cost
Unit annual cost
$8,937
Incl. body corporate
$745/month
House vs unit difference
−$1,560
Unit is cheaper per year

Annual cost breakdown

Council rates
Townsville City Council 2026-27 · minimum rate
$1,343
Water & sewerage
Townsville City Council Water & Sewerage 2026-27
$2,099
Driving commute
ATO 91c/km · 8.5km from Townsville CBD · 192 days
$2,655
Home insurance
Estimated · flood Low · fire Low
$4,400
Total annual running cost
$10,497
($875/month)
↓ 20% below Townsville City Council average
SuburbCost affordability score ●●●●○ 7.4/10 Good
Cheaper to run than 74% of Townsville City 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 Cranbrook'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 Cranbrook

within a 2 km walk
Nearest stop
No scheduled service within a 2 km walk of the suburb centre.
Nearest hospital
Unnamed, 1,973 m away, about a 25 minute walk.
Supermarkets
3
Cafes
5
Parks
34
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.

Compare Cranbrook with another suburb

Frequently asked questions about Cranbrook

Is it cheaper to drive or take public transport from Cranbrook to Townsville CBD?

Public transport saves Cranbrook residents $2,463 per year. Annual commute cost by car is $2,655 versus $192 by public transport using Translink's flat 50 cent fare.

What are the council rates in Cranbrook?

Cranbrook falls under Townsville City Council. The minimum residential general rate for 2026-27 is $1,343 per year for an owner-occupied house. Properties on higher land value pay more. Unit owners in strata schemes pay $1,343 per year. These figures cover the general rate only and exclude waste and cleansing charges.

What does it cost to run a unit in Cranbrook?

Running a unit in Cranbrook costs approximately $8,937 per year by car or $6,474 by public transport. This includes council rates of $1,343, water and sewerage $2,099, estimated body corporate levy of $2,200, and contents insurance of $640. Body corporate fees vary significantly between buildings. Always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.

Is Cranbrook close to public transport?

No scheduled public transport stop was found within a 2 km walk of the centre of Cranbrook. 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 is the closest hospital to Cranbrook?

The closest hospital to the centre of Cranbrook is Unnamed, about 1,973 m away, about a 25 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 Cranbrook?

Within a 2 km walk of the centre of Cranbrook there are 3 supermarkets, 5 cafes and 34 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: Townsville City Council 2026-27. Water: Townsville City 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.