Annual cost of living in Picnic Bay, QLD 4819

Living in a house in Picnic Bay costs about $11,071 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. Picnic Bay sits 9.5 kilometres from Brisbane CBD. Unit costs come in at $9,171, as lower council rates more than offset the $2,200 body corporate levy. Switching from driving to public transport saves $2,637 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 67% of Townsville City Council suburbs, about 17% below the regional average.

Home insurance is the biggest expense at $4,800, roughly 43% of the annual total.

Switching from driving to public transport saves $2,637 a year.

Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →

House annual cost

$11,071

Driving · per year

$923/month

Lower cost

Unit annual cost

$9,171

Incl. body corporate

$764/month

House vs unit difference

−$1,900

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 · 9.5km from CBD · 192 days

$2,829

Home insurance

Estimated · flood Low · fire Low

$4,800

Total annual running cost

$11,071

($923/month)

↓ 17% below Townsville City Council average

SuburbCost affordability score ●●●●○ 7.7/10 Good

Cheaper to run than 67% 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 Picnic Bay's climate zone at 2025 rates. Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.

Compare Picnic Bay with another suburb

Nearby: vs Nelly Bay vs Arcadia vs West Point

Is it cheaper to drive or take public transport from Picnic Bay to the CBD?

Public transport saves Picnic Bay residents $2,637 per year. Annual commute cost by car is $2,829 versus $192 by public transport using Translink's flat 50 cent fare.

What are the council rates in Picnic Bay?

Picnic 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 Picnic Bay?

Running a unit in Picnic Bay costs approximately $9,171 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.

Compare Picnic Bay with…

Picnic Bay vs Nelly Bay Picnic Bay vs Arcadia Picnic Bay vs West Point

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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.

True annual cost of living in Picnic Bay, QLD 4819

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