Compare suburbs Suburbs Council rates Cost of living calculator Electricity calculator About Blog
Map of Railway Estate
1.9 km from Townsville CBD
Home  ·  Suburbs  ·  Railway Estate

True annual cost of living in Railway Estate, QLD 4810

Living in a house in Railway Estate costs about $8,290 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. Railway Estate sits 1.9 kilometres from Townsville CBD. Unit costs come in at $6,740, 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.

Last updated July 2026 · Townsville City Council rates 2026-27, ATO 91c/km, AER electricity benchmarks

3 key insights

Cheaper to run than 100% of Townsville City Council suburbs, about 37% below the regional average.
Home insurance is the biggest expense at $4,200, roughly 51% of the annual total.
Switching from driving to public transport saves $456 a year.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →
House annual cost
$8,290
Driving · per year
$691/month
Lower cost
Unit annual cost
$6,740
Incl. body corporate
$562/month
House vs unit difference
−$1,550
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 91c/km · 1.9km from Townsville CBD · 192 days
$648
Home insurance
Estimated · flood Low · fire Low
$4,200
Total annual running cost
$8,290
($691/month)
↓ 37% below Townsville City Council average
SuburbCost affordability score ●●●●○ 8.8/10 Excellent
Cheaper to run than 100% 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 Railway Estate'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 Railway Estate

within a 2 km walk
Nearest stop
Townsville, 1,363 m away, about a 17 minute walk. It is a train stop.
Nearest hospital
Weststate Private Hospital, 1,776 m away, about a 22 minute walk.
Supermarkets
2
Cafes
8
Parks
23
Counted from OpenStreetMap via Overpass inside a 2 km walking radius of the suburb centre, built 2026-08-07. 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 Railway Estate with another suburb

Frequently asked questions about Railway Estate

Is it cheaper to drive or take public transport from Railway Estate to Townsville CBD?

Public transport saves Railway Estate residents $456 per year. Annual commute cost by car is $648 versus $192 by public transport using Translink's flat 50 cent fare.

What are the council rates in Railway Estate?

Railway Estate 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 Railway Estate?

Running a unit in Railway Estate costs approximately $6,740 per year by car or $6,284 by public transport. This includes council rates of $1,343, water and sewerage $2,099, estimated body corporate levy of $2,000, and contents insurance of $650. Body corporate fees vary significantly between buildings. Always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.

Is Railway Estate close to public transport?

The nearest scheduled service to the centre of Railway Estate is Townsville, a train stop about 1,363 m away, about a 17 minute walk. That is measured from the suburb centre, so an individual address can be nearer or further. The commute figure used in the running cost on this page assumes driving, not this service.

What is the closest hospital to Railway Estate?

The closest hospital to the centre of Railway Estate is Weststate Private Hospital, about 1,776 m away, about a 22 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 Railway Estate?

Within a 2 km walk of the centre of Railway Estate there are 2 supermarkets, 8 cafes and 23 parks. These counts come from OpenStreetMap via Overpass, which is contributed mapping and can lag a recent opening or closure.

Compare up to five suburbs.

Free 5-page PDF report. Enter your suburbs below.

Included:
Annual cost breakdown
10-year cost projection
School scores & catchments
Flood & fire risk ratings
Crime risk ratings
AI suburb recommendations
Up to 5 suburbs, side by side
I'm looking at a
When are you planning to buy or move?
We'll never share your email. Unsubscribe anytime.
Opening your report…
Your report is opening in a new tab. Check your inbox if it doesn't appear within a minute.
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: 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.