True annual cost of living in Palm Island, QLD 4816
Living in a house in Palm Island costs about $11,133 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. Palm Island sits 66.2 kilometres from Townsville CBD. Unit costs come in at $9,513, as lower council rates more than offset the $1,400 body corporate levy. At 66.2km, the commute dominates running costs. Drivers pay $3,799 more per year than public transport users.
About $214 a week to run a house here, including estimates
Lower cost
Unit annual cost
$9,513
Incl. body corporate
$793/month
About $183 a week to run a unit here, including estimates
House vs unit difference
−$1,620
Unit is cheaper per year
Annual cost breakdown
Council rates
Estimated Townsville City Council rate, standing in for Hinchinbrook Shire Council
$1,343
Water & sewerage
Official, 2026-27 Townsville City Council Water & Sewerage
$2,099
Driving commute
Modelled, 2026-27 ATO 91c/km · 66.2km from Townsville CBD · 192 days
$3,991
Home insurance
Estimated flood Low · fire Low
$3,700
Body corporate
Estimated
$1,400
Total annual running cost
$11,133
($928/month, $214/week)
Excludes electricity, estimated separately below.
↓ 10% below Townsville City Council average
SuburbCost affordability score ●●●○○6.2/10 Average
Cheaper to run than 50% 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 Palm Island'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 Island
within a 2 km walk
Nearest stop
No scheduled service within a 2 km walk of the suburb centre.
Nearest hospital
Joyce Palmer Health Service, 2,905 m away, about a 36 minute walk.
Supermarkets
0
Cafes
0
Parks
0
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.
Compare Palm Island with another suburb
Nearby: No nearby suburbs with data found
Frequently asked questions about Palm Island
Is it cheaper to drive or take public transport from Palm Island to Townsville CBD?
Public transport saves Palm Island residents $3,799 per year. Annual commute cost by car is $3,991 versus $192 by public transport using Translink's flat 50 cent fare.
What are the council rates in Palm Island?
Palm Island falls under Hinchinbrook Shire Council. We do not yet hold that council's published rates, so the figure on this page is Townsville City Council's minimum residential general rate, used as a stand-in. Treat it as an indication of the order of magnitude rather than what Palm Island ratepayers are charged, and check Hinchinbrook Shire Council's own schedule before relying on it.
What does it cost to run a unit in Palm Island?
Running a unit in Palm Island costs approximately $9,513 per year by car or $5,714 by public transport. This includes council rates of $1,343, water and sewerage $2,099, estimated body corporate levy of $1,400, and contents insurance of $680. Body corporate fees vary significantly between buildings. Always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.
Is Palm Island close to public transport?
No scheduled public transport stop was found within a 2 km walk of the centre of Palm Island. 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 Palm Island?
The closest hospital to the centre of Palm Island is Joyce Palmer Health Service, about 2,905 m away, about a 36 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 Palm Island?
Within a 2 km walk of the centre of Palm Island there are 0 supermarkets, 0 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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10-year cost projection
School scores & catchments
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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.