True annual cost of living in Port Douglas, QLD 4877
Living in a house in Port Douglas costs about $12,592 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. Port Douglas sits 57.0 kilometres from Cairns CBD. Unit costs come in at $11,812, as lower council rates more than offset the $2,200 body corporate levy. The commute is costed by car to Cairns, at $5,727 a year, because no daily public transport commute is assumed here.
About $242 a week to run a house here, including estimates
Lower cost
Unit annual cost
$11,812
Incl. body corporate
$984/month
About $227 a week to run a unit here, including estimates
House vs unit difference
−$780
Unit is cheaper per year
Annual cost breakdown
Council rates
Official, 2026-27 Douglas Shire Council
$1,400
Water & sewerage
Official, 2026-27 Cairns Regional Council Water & Sewerage
$1,765
Driving commute
Modelled, 2026-27 ATO 91c/km · 57.0km from Cairns CBD · 192 days
$5,727
Home insurance
Estimated flood Low · fire Low
$3,700
Body corporate
Estimated
$2,200
Total annual running cost
$12,592
($1,049/month, $242/week)
Excludes electricity, estimated separately below. Also excludes the state Emergency Management Levy on your rates notice, $152 a year here (levy class C, 2026-27).
Near Douglas Shire Council average
SuburbCost affordability score ●●●○○5.3/10 Average
Cheaper to run than 20% of Douglas Shire 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 Port Douglas'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 Port Douglas
within a 2 km walk
Nearest stop
No scheduled service within a 2 km walk of the suburb centre.
Supermarkets
0
Cafes
0
Parks
1
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 Port Douglas to Cairns CBD?
Public transport options are limited in Port Douglas; driving is the practical commute at $5,727 per year.
What are the council rates in Port Douglas?
Port Douglas falls under Douglas Shire Council. The minimum residential general rate for 2026-27 is $1,400 per year for an owner-occupied house. Properties on higher land value pay more. Unit owners in strata schemes pay $1,400 per year. These figures cover the general rate only and exclude waste and cleansing charges.
What does it cost to run a unit in Port Douglas?
Running a unit in Port Douglas costs approximately $11,812 per year by car or $11,812 by public transport. This includes council rates of $1,400, water and sewerage $1,765, estimated body corporate levy of $2,200, and contents insurance of $720. Body corporate fees vary significantly between buildings. Always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.
Is Port Douglas close to public transport?
No scheduled public transport stop was found within a 2 km walk of the centre of Port Douglas. 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 Port Douglas?
Within a 2 km walk of the centre of Port Douglas there are 0 supermarkets, 0 cafes and 1 park. These counts come from OpenStreetMap via Overpass, which is contributed mapping and can lag a recent opening or closure.
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Included:
Annual cost breakdown
10-year cost projection
School scores & catchments
Flood & fire risk ratings
Crime risk ratings
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Data sources: Council rates: Douglas Shire 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.