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1.6 km from Townsville CBD
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True annual cost of living in South Townsville, QLD 4810

Living in a house in South Townsville costs about $8,590 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. South Townsville sits 1.6 kilometres from Townsville CBD. Unit costs come in at $6,880, as lower council rates more than offset the $2,200 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 98% of Townsville City Council suburbs, about 35% below the regional average.
Home insurance is the biggest expense at $4,600, roughly 54% of the annual total.
Switching from driving to public transport saves $356 a year.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →
House annual cost
$8,590
Driving · per year
$716/month
Lower cost
Unit annual cost
$6,880
Incl. body corporate
$573/month
House vs unit difference
−$1,710
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 · 1.6km from Townsville CBD · 192 days
$548
Home insurance
Estimated · flood Low · fire Low
$4,600
Total annual running cost
$8,590
($716/month)
↓ 35% below Townsville City Council average
SuburbCost affordability score ●●●●○ 8.6/10 Excellent
Cheaper to run than 98% 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 South Townsville'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 South Townsville

within a 2 km walk
Nearest stop
Unnamed, 720 m away, about a 9 minute walk. It is a ferry stop.
Nearest hospital
Townsville Private Clinic, 1,998 m away, about a 25 minute walk.
Supermarkets
1
Cafes
8
Parks
16
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.

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Frequently asked questions about South Townsville

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

Public transport saves South Townsville residents $356 per year. Annual commute cost by car is $548 versus $192 by public transport using Translink's flat 50 cent fare.

What are the council rates in South Townsville?

South Townsville 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 South Townsville?

Running a unit in South Townsville costs approximately $6,880 per year by car or $6,524 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 $690. Body corporate fees vary significantly between buildings. Always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.

Is South Townsville close to public transport?

The nearest scheduled service to the centre of South Townsville is Unnamed, a ferry stop about 720 m away, about a 9 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 South Townsville?

The closest hospital to the centre of South Townsville is Townsville Private Clinic, about 1,998 m away, about a 25 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 South Townsville?

Within a 2 km walk of the centre of South Townsville there is 1 supermarket, 8 cafes and 16 parks. These counts come from OpenStreetMap via Overpass, which is contributed mapping and can lag a recent opening or closure.

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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: 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.