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0.0 km from Townsville CBD
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True annual cost of living in Townsville City, QLD 4810

Living in a house in Townsville City costs about $8,406 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. Townsville City sits 0.0 kilometres from Townsville CBD. Unit costs reach $9,476, with the $4,800 body corporate levy accounting for the entire difference between the two. 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 85% of Townsville City Council suburbs, about 32% below the regional average.
Home insurance is the biggest expense at $4,450, roughly 53% of the annual total.
Switching from driving to public transport saves $322 a year.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →
Lower cost
House annual cost
$8,406
Driving · per year
$701/month
About $162 a week to run a house here, including estimates
Unit annual cost
$9,476
Incl. body corporate
$790/month
About $182 a week to run a unit here, including estimates
House vs unit difference
+$1,070
Unit costs more 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 · 0.0km from Townsville CBD · 192 days
$514
Home insurance
Estimated flood Medium · fire Low
$4,450
Total annual running cost
$8,406
($701/month, $162/week)

Excludes electricity, estimated separately below. Also excludes the state Emergency Management Levy on your rates notice, $260 a year here (levy class A, 2026-27).

↓ 32% below Townsville City Council average
SuburbCost affordability score ●●●○○ 6.9/10 Good
Cheaper to run than 85% 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 Townsville City'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 Townsville City

within a 2 km walk
Nearest stop
Townsville City Stop A, 232 m away, about a 3 minute walk. It is a bus stop.
Nearest hospital
Townsville Private Clinic, 369 m away, about a 5 minute walk.
Supermarkets
2
Cafes
20
Parks
30
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.

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Frequently asked questions about Townsville City

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

Public transport saves Townsville City residents $322 per year. Annual commute cost by car is $514 versus $192 by public transport using Translink's flat 50 cent fare.

What are the council rates in Townsville City?

Townsville City 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 Townsville City?

Running a unit in Townsville City costs approximately $9,476 per year by car or $9,154 by public transport. This includes council rates of $1,343, water and sewerage $2,099, estimated body corporate levy of $4,800, and contents insurance of $720. Body corporate fees vary significantly between buildings. Always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.

Is Townsville City close to public transport?

The nearest scheduled service to the centre of Townsville City is Townsville City Stop A, a bus stop about 232 m away, about a 3 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 Townsville City?

The closest hospital to the centre of Townsville City is Townsville Private Clinic, about 369 m away, about a 5 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 Townsville City?

Within a 2 km walk of the centre of Townsville City there are 2 supermarkets, 20 cafes and 30 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: 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.