True annual cost of living in Horseshoe Bay, QLD 4819
Living in a house in Horseshoe Bay costs about $12,587 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. Horseshoe Bay sits 15.4 kilometres from Townsville CBD. Unit costs come in at $10,687, as lower council rates more than offset the $2,200 body corporate levy. At 15.4km from Townsville CBD, transport mode shifts the annual total by $4,153. The gap widens as commute costs rise.
ATO 91c/km · 15.4km from Townsville CBD · 192 days
$4,345
Home insurance
Estimated · flood Low · fire Low
$4,800
Body corporate
Estimated
$2,200
Total annual running cost
$12,587
($1,049/month)
Near Townsville City Council average
SuburbCost affordability score ●●●○○6.6/10 Good
Cheaper to run than 44% 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 Horseshoe Bay'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 Horseshoe Bay
within a 2 km walk
Nearest stop
Magentic Island Ferries - Vehicle Waiting Area, 3,841 m away, about a 48 minute walk. It is a ferry stop.
Supermarkets
2
Cafes
5
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 Horseshoe Bay to Townsville CBD?
Public transport saves Horseshoe Bay residents $4,153 per year. Annual commute cost by car is $4,345 versus $192 by public transport using Translink's flat 50 cent fare.
What are the council rates in Horseshoe Bay?
Horseshoe Bay 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 Horseshoe Bay?
Running a unit in Horseshoe Bay costs approximately $10,687 per year by car or $6,534 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 $700. Body corporate fees vary significantly between buildings. Always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.
Is Horseshoe Bay close to public transport?
The nearest scheduled service to the centre of Horseshoe Bay is Magentic Island Ferries - Vehicle Waiting Area, a ferry stop about 3,841 m away, about a 48 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 shops and parks are in Horseshoe Bay?
Within a 2 km walk of the centre of Horseshoe Bay there are 2 supermarkets, 5 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: 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.