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10.7 km from CBD
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True annual cost of living in Kirwan, QLD 4817

Living in a house in Kirwan costs about $11,374 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. Kirwan sits 10.7 kilometres from Brisbane CBD. Unit costs come in at $9,454, as lower council rates more than offset the $2,200 body corporate levy. Switching from driving to public transport saves $2,940 per year at this distance.

Last updated July 2026 · Townsville City Council rates 2026-27, ATO 88c/km, AER electricity benchmarks

3 key insights
Cheaper to run than 63% of Townsville City Council suburbs, about 15% below the regional average.
Home insurance is the biggest expense at $4,800, roughly 42% of the annual total.
Switching from driving to public transport saves $2,940 a year.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →
House annual cost
$11,374
Driving · per year
$948/month
Lower cost
Unit annual cost
$9,454
Incl. body corporate
$788/month
House vs unit difference
−$1,920
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 88c/km · 10.7km from CBD · 192 days
$3,132
Home insurance
Estimated · flood Low · fire Low
$4,800
Total annual running cost
$11,374
($948/month)
↓ 15% below Townsville City Council average
SuburbCost affordability score ●●●●○ 7.1/10 Good
Cheaper to run than 63% 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
$2,218/yr
5,933 kWh
Unit
$1,773/yr
4,450 kWh
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for Kirwan's climate zone at 2025 rates. Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Compare Kirwan with another suburb
Is it cheaper to drive or take public transport from Kirwan to the CBD?
Public transport saves Kirwan residents $2,940 per year. Annual commute cost by car is $3,132 versus $192 by public transport using Translink's flat 50 cent fare.
What are the council rates in Kirwan?
Kirwan 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 Kirwan?
Running a unit in Kirwan costs approximately $9,454 per year by car or $6,514 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 $680. Body corporate fees vary significantly between buildings. Always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.

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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 2025–26 (88c/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.