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75.6 km from Cairns CBD
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True annual cost of living in Syndicate, QLD 4873

Living in a house in Syndicate costs about $13,267 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. Syndicate sits 75.6 kilometres from Cairns CBD. Unit costs come in at $8,787, as lower council rates more than offset the $1,600 body corporate levy. At 75.6km, the commute dominates running costs. Drivers pay $3,110 more per year than public transport users.

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

3 key insights

Cheaper to run than 97% of Douglas Shire Council suburbs, about 15% below the regional average.
Home insurance is the biggest expense at $6,800, roughly 51% of the annual total.
Switching from driving to public transport saves $3,110 a year, a significant saving at this distance.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →
House annual cost
$13,267
Driving · per year
$1,106/month
Lower cost
Unit annual cost
$8,787
Incl. body corporate
$732/month
House vs unit difference
−$4,480
Unit is cheaper per year

Annual cost breakdown

Council rates
Douglas Shire Council 2026-27 · minimum rate
$1,400
Water & sewerage
Cairns Regional Council Water & Sewerage 2026-27
$1,765
Driving commute
ATO 91c/km · 75.6km from Cairns CBD · 192 days
$3,302
Home insurance
Estimated · flood Low · fire Low
$6,800
Total annual running cost
$13,267
($1,106/month)
↓ 15% below Douglas Shire Council average
SuburbCost affordability score ●●●●○ 8.5/10 Excellent
Cheaper to run than 97% 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 Syndicate'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 Syndicate

within a 2 km walk
Nearest stop
No scheduled service within a 2 km walk of the suburb centre.
Supermarkets
0
Cafes
0
Parks
0
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 Syndicate with another suburb

Frequently asked questions about Syndicate

Is it cheaper to drive or take public transport from Syndicate to Cairns CBD?

Public transport saves Syndicate residents $3,110 per year. Annual commute cost by car is $3,302 versus $192 by public transport using Translink's flat 50 cent fare.

What are the council rates in Syndicate?

Syndicate 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 Syndicate?

Running a unit in Syndicate costs approximately $8,787 per year by car or $5,677 by public transport. This includes council rates of $1,400, water and sewerage $1,765, estimated body corporate levy of $1,600, and contents insurance of $720. Body corporate fees vary significantly between buildings. Always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.

Is Syndicate close to public transport?

No scheduled public transport stop was found within a 2 km walk of the centre of Syndicate. 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 Syndicate?

Within a 2 km walk of the centre of Syndicate there are 0 supermarkets, 0 cafes and 0 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: Douglas Shire Council 2026-27. Water: Cairns Regional 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.