Living in a house in Garbutt costs about $9,071 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. Garbutt sits 5.3 kilometres from Townsville CBD. Unit costs come in at $8,251, as lower council rates more than offset the $2,400 body corporate levy. Switching from driving to public transport saves $1,537 per year at this distance.
About $174 a week to run a house here, including estimates
Lower cost
Unit annual cost
$8,251
Incl. body corporate
$688/month
About $159 a week to run a unit here, including estimates
House vs unit difference
−$820
Unit is cheaper per year
Annual cost breakdown
Council rates
Official, 2026-27 Townsville City Council
$1,343
Water & sewerage
Official, 2026-27 Townsville City Council Water & Sewerage
$2,099
Driving commute
Modelled, 2026-27 ATO 91c/km · 5.3km from Townsville CBD · 192 days
$1,729
Home insurance
Estimated flood Low · fire Low
$3,900
Body corporate
Estimated
$2,400
Total annual running cost
$9,071
($756/month, $174/week)
Excludes electricity, estimated separately below. Also excludes the state Emergency Management Levy on your rates notice, $260 a year here (levy class A, 2026-27).
↓ 27% below Townsville City Council average
SuburbCost affordability score ●●●●○7.1/10 Good
Cheaper to run than 78% 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 Garbutt'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 Garbutt
within a 2 km walk
Nearest stop
Townsville, 4,527 m away, about a 57 minute walk. It is a train stop.
Nearest hospital
Mater Women's & Children's Hospital, 3,959 m away, about a 49 minute walk.
Supermarkets
2
Cafes
3
Parks
6
Counted from OpenStreetMap via Overpass inside a 2 km walking radius of the suburb centre, built 2026-11-03. 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 Garbutt to Townsville CBD?
Public transport saves Garbutt residents $1,537 per year. Annual commute cost by car is $1,729 versus $192 by public transport using Translink's flat 50 cent fare.
What are the council rates in Garbutt?
Garbutt 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 Garbutt?
Running a unit in Garbutt costs approximately $8,251 per year by car or $6,714 by public transport. This includes council rates of $1,343, water and sewerage $2,099, estimated body corporate levy of $2,400, and contents insurance of $680. Body corporate fees vary significantly between buildings. Always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.
Is Garbutt close to public transport?
The nearest scheduled service to the centre of Garbutt is Townsville, a train stop about 4,527 m away, about a 57 minute walk. That is measured from the suburb centre, so an individual address can be nearer or further. The commute figure used in the running cost on this page assumes driving, not this service.
What is the closest hospital to Garbutt?
The closest hospital to the centre of Garbutt is Mater Women's & Children's Hospital, about 3,959 m away, about a 49 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 Garbutt?
Within a 2 km walk of the centre of Garbutt there are 2 supermarkets, 3 cafes and 6 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: estimated from ACCC 2026 premium rates for the area's cyclone risk on a standard $600,000 home, adjusted for flood and fire, disclosed as estimate. Schools: ACARA ICSEA 2025. Risk: Queensland Globe, QFES. Data last verified September 2026. Cost estimates are for comparison purposes only and do not constitute financial, insurance, or credit advice.