True annual cost of living in Saunders Beach, QLD 4818
Living in a house in Saunders Beach costs about $13,545 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. Saunders Beach sits 24.6 kilometres from Townsville CBD. Unit costs come in at $11,875, as lower council rates more than offset the $1,800 body corporate levy. At 24.6km from Townsville CBD, transport mode shifts the annual total by $5,761. The gap widens as commute costs rise.
About $260 a week to run a house here, including estimates
Lower cost
Unit annual cost
$11,875
Incl. body corporate
$990/month
About $228 a week to run a unit here, including estimates
House vs unit difference
−$1,670
Unit is cheaper per year
Annual cost breakdown
Council rates
Official, 2026-27 Townsville City Council
$1,343
Water & sewerage
Official, 2026-27 Townsville City Council Water & Sewerage
$2,099
Driving commute
Modelled, 2026-27 ATO 91c/km · 24.6km from Townsville CBD · 192 days
$5,953
Home insurance
Estimated flood Low · fire Low
$4,150
Body corporate
Estimated
$1,800
Total annual running cost
$13,545
($1,129/month, $260/week)
Excludes electricity, estimated separately below. Also excludes the state Emergency Management Levy on your rates notice, $127 a year here (levy class E, 2026-27).
↑ 9% above Townsville City Council average
SuburbCost affordability score ●●○○○4.5/10 Poor
Cheaper to run than 11% 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 Saunders Beach'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 Saunders Beach
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 Saunders Beach to Townsville CBD?
Public transport saves Saunders Beach residents $5,761 per year. Annual commute cost by car is $5,953 versus $192 by public transport using Translink's flat 50 cent fare.
What are the council rates in Saunders Beach?
Saunders Beach 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 Saunders Beach?
Running a unit in Saunders Beach costs approximately $11,875 per year by car or $6,114 by public transport. This includes council rates of $1,343, water and sewerage $2,099, estimated body corporate levy of $1,800, and contents insurance of $680. Body corporate fees vary significantly between buildings. Always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.
Is Saunders Beach close to public transport?
No scheduled public transport stop was found within a 2 km walk of the centre of Saunders Beach. 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 Saunders Beach?
Within a 2 km walk of the centre of Saunders Beach 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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10-year cost projection
School scores & catchments
Flood & fire risk ratings
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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.