True annual cost of living in Lake Eacham, QLD 4884
Living in a house in Lake Eacham costs about $16,269 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. Lake Eacham sits 44.1 kilometres from Cairns CBD. Unit costs come in at $11,879, as lower council rates more than offset the $1,300 body corporate levy. At 44.1km, the commute dominates running costs. Drivers pay $6,723 more per year than public transport users.
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 · 44.1km from Cairns CBD · 192 days
$6,915
Home insurance
Estimated · flood Low · fire Low
$6,400
Body corporate
Estimated
$1,300
Total annual running cost
$16,269
($1,356/month)
Near Tablelands Regional Council average
SuburbCost affordability score ●●●○○6.4/10 Average
Cheaper to run than 42% 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 Lake Eacham'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 Lake Eacham
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.
Is it cheaper to drive or take public transport from Lake Eacham to Cairns CBD?
Public transport saves Lake Eacham residents $6,723 per year. Annual commute cost by car is $6,915 versus $192 by public transport using Translink's flat 50 cent fare.
What are the council rates in Lake Eacham?
Lake Eacham 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 Lake Eacham?
Running a unit in Lake Eacham costs approximately $11,879 per year by car or $5,156 by public transport. This includes council rates of $1,189, water and sewerage $1,765, estimated body corporate levy of $1,300, and contents insurance of $710. Body corporate fees vary significantly between buildings. Always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.
Is Lake Eacham close to public transport?
No scheduled public transport stop was found within a 2 km walk of the centre of Lake Eacham. 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 Lake Eacham?
Within a 2 km walk of the centre of Lake Eacham 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.