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Map of East Barron
48.5 km from Cairns CBD
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True annual cost of living in East Barron, QLD 4883

Living in a house in East Barron costs about $16,827 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. East Barron sits 48.5 kilometres from Cairns CBD. Unit costs come in at $11,977, as lower council rates more than offset the $1,600 body corporate levy. At 48.5km, the commute dominates running costs. Drivers pay $6,481 more per year than public transport users.

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

3 key insights

Running costs sit near the Tablelands Regional Council average, cheaper than 22% of suburbs in the region.
Home insurance is the biggest expense at $7,200, roughly 43% of the annual total.
Switching from driving to public transport saves $6,481 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
$16,827
Driving · per year
$1,402/month
Lower cost
Unit annual cost
$11,977
Incl. body corporate
$998/month
House vs unit difference
−$4,850
Unit is cheaper per year

Annual cost breakdown

Council rates
Tablelands Regional Council 2026-27 · minimum rate
$1,189
Water & sewerage
Cairns Regional Council Water & Sewerage 2026-27, standing in
$1,765
Driving commute
ATO 91c/km · 48.5km from Cairns CBD · 192 days
$6,673
Home insurance
Estimated · flood Low · fire Low
$7,200
Total annual running cost
$16,827
($1,402/month)
Near Tablelands Regional Council average
SuburbCost affordability score ●●●○○ 5.4/10 Average
Cheaper to run than 22% of Tablelands 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 East Barron'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 East Barron

within a 2 km walk
Nearest stop
No scheduled service within a 2 km walk of the suburb centre.
Supermarkets
0
Cafes
1
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.

Compare East Barron with another suburb

Frequently asked questions about East Barron

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

Public transport saves East Barron residents $6,481 per year. Annual commute cost by car is $6,673 versus $192 by public transport using Translink's flat 50 cent fare.

What are the council rates in East Barron?

East Barron falls under Tablelands Regional Council. The minimum residential general rate for 2026-27 is $1,189 per year for an owner-occupied house. Properties on higher land value pay more. Unit owners in strata schemes pay $1,189 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 East Barron?

Running a unit in East Barron costs approximately $11,977 per year by car or $5,496 by public transport. This includes council rates of $1,189, water and sewerage $1,765, estimated body corporate levy of $1,600, and contents insurance of $750. Body corporate fees vary significantly between buildings. Always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.

Is East Barron close to public transport?

No scheduled public transport stop was found within a 2 km walk of the centre of East Barron. 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 East Barron?

Within a 2 km walk of the centre of East Barron there are 0 supermarkets, 1 cafe 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: Tablelands 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.