Living in a house in Portsmith costs about $11,075 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. Portsmith sits 4.2 kilometres from Brisbane CBD. Unit costs come in at $6,975, as lower council rates more than offset the $2,000 body corporate levy. Transport mode has the biggest effect on total cost in a suburb this close to the city.
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for Portsmith's climate zone at 2025 rates. Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Is it cheaper to drive or take public transport from Portsmith to the CBD?
Public transport saves Portsmith residents $1,153 per year. Annual commute cost by car is $1,345 versus $192 by public transport using Translink's flat 50 cent fare.
What are the council rates in Portsmith?
Portsmith falls under Cairns Regional Council. The minimum residential general rate for 2026-27 is $1,165 per year for an owner-occupied house. Properties on higher land value pay more. Unit owners in strata schemes pay $1,165 per year. These figures cover the general rate only and exclude waste and cleansing charges.
What does it cost to run a unit in Portsmith?
Running a unit in Portsmith costs approximately $6,975 per year by car or $5,822 by public transport. This includes council rates of $1,165, water and sewerage $1,765, estimated body corporate levy of $2,000, and contents insurance of $700. Body corporate fees vary significantly between buildings. Always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.
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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 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.