Living in a house in Heatley costs about $9,417 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. Heatley sits 7.5 kilometres from Townsville CBD. Unit costs come in at $8,497, as lower council rates more than offset the $2,000 body corporate levy. Switching from driving to public transport saves $2,183 per year at this distance.
About $181 a week to run a house here, including estimates
Lower cost
Unit annual cost
$8,497
Incl. body corporate
$708/month
About $163 a week to run a unit here, including estimates
House vs unit difference
−$920
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 · 7.5km from Townsville CBD · 192 days
$2,375
Home insurance
Estimated flood Low · fire Low
$3,600
Body corporate
Estimated
$2,000
Total annual running cost
$9,417
($785/month, $181/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).
↓ 24% below Townsville City Council average
SuburbCost affordability score ●●●●○7.1/10 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 Heatley'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 Heatley
within a 2 km walk
Nearest stop
No scheduled service within a 2 km walk of the suburb centre.
Nearest hospital
Kirwan Health Campus, 2,739 m away, about a 34 minute walk.
Supermarkets
6
Cafes
6
Parks
13
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 Heatley to Townsville CBD?
Public transport saves Heatley residents $2,183 per year. Annual commute cost by car is $2,375 versus $192 by public transport using Translink's flat 50 cent fare.
What are the council rates in Heatley?
Heatley 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 Heatley?
Running a unit in Heatley costs approximately $8,497 per year by car or $6,314 by public transport. This includes council rates of $1,343, water and sewerage $2,099, estimated body corporate levy of $2,000, and contents insurance of $680. Body corporate fees vary significantly between buildings. Always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.
Is Heatley close to public transport?
No scheduled public transport stop was found within a 2 km walk of the centre of Heatley. 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 Heatley?
The closest hospital to the centre of Heatley is Kirwan Health Campus, about 2,739 m away, about a 34 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 Heatley?
Within a 2 km walk of the centre of Heatley there are 6 supermarkets, 6 cafes and 13 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.