Living in a house in Palm Cove costs about $12,217 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. Palm Cove sits 22.4 kilometres from Cairns CBD. Unit costs come in at $11,507, as lower council rates more than offset the $2,200 body corporate levy. At 22.4km from Cairns CBD, transport mode shifts the annual total by $5,444. The gap widens as commute costs rise.
About $235 a week to run a house here, including estimates
Lower cost
Unit annual cost
$11,507
Incl. body corporate
$959/month
About $221 a week to run a unit here, including estimates
House vs unit difference
−$710
Unit is cheaper per year
Annual cost breakdown
Council rates
Official, 2026-27 Cairns Regional Council
$1,166
Water & sewerage
Official, 2026-27 Cairns Regional Council Water & Sewerage
$1,765
Driving commute
Modelled, 2026-27 ATO 91c/km · 22.4km from Cairns CBD · 192 days
$5,636
Home insurance
Estimated flood Low · fire Low
$3,650
Body corporate
Estimated
$2,200
Total annual running cost
$12,217
($1,018/month, $235/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).
↓ 14% below Cairns Regional Council average
SuburbCost affordability score ●●●○○5.6/10 Average
Cheaper to run than 29% of Cairns 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 Palm Cove'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 Palm Cove
within a 2 km walk
Nearest stop
No scheduled service within a 2 km walk of the suburb centre.
Supermarkets
1
Cafes
7
Parks
11
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 Palm Cove to Cairns CBD?
Public transport saves Palm Cove residents $5,444 per year. Annual commute cost by car is $5,636 versus $192 by public transport using Translink's flat 50 cent fare.
What are the council rates in Palm Cove?
Palm Cove falls under Cairns Regional Council. The minimum residential general rate for 2026-27 is $1,166 per year for an owner-occupied house. Properties on higher land value pay more. Unit owners in strata schemes pay $1,166 per year. These figures cover the general rate only and exclude waste and cleansing charges.
What does it cost to run a unit in Palm Cove?
Running a unit in Palm Cove costs approximately $11,507 per year by car or $6,063 by public transport. This includes council rates of $1,166, water and sewerage $1,765, estimated body corporate levy of $2,200, and contents insurance of $740. Body corporate fees vary significantly between buildings. Always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.
Is Palm Cove close to public transport?
No scheduled public transport stop was found within a 2 km walk of the centre of Palm Cove. 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 Palm Cove?
Within a 2 km walk of the centre of Palm Cove there is 1 supermarket, 7 cafes and 11 parks. These counts come from OpenStreetMap via Overpass, which is contributed mapping and can lag a recent opening or closure.
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10-year cost projection
School scores & catchments
Flood & fire risk ratings
Crime risk ratings
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Data sources: Council rates: Cairns Regional Council 2026-27. Water: Cairns Regional 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.