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Map of Utchee Creek
80.9 km from Cairns CBD
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True annual cost of living in Utchee Creek, QLD 4871

Living in a house in Utchee Creek costs about $10,413 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. Utchee Creek sits 80.9 kilometres from Cairns CBD. Unit costs come in at $8,973, as lower council rates more than offset the $1,500 body corporate levy. The commute is costed by car to Cairns, at $3,533 a year, because no daily public transport commute is assumed here.

Last updated July 2026 · Cassowary Coast Regional Council rates 2026-27, ATO 91c/km, AER electricity benchmarks

3 key insights

Cheaper to run than 60% of Cassowary Coast Regional Council suburbs, about 16% below the regional average.
Home insurance is the biggest expense at $3,700, roughly 36% of the annual total.
The nearest state school scores 3.7/10 (ACARA ICSEA), below average for Queensland.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →
House annual cost
$10,413
Driving · per year
$868/month
About $200 a week to run a house here, including estimates
Lower cost
Unit annual cost
$8,973
Incl. body corporate
$748/month
About $173 a week to run a unit here, including estimates
House vs unit difference
−$1,440
Unit is cheaper per year

Annual cost breakdown

Council rates
Official, 2026-27 Cassowary Coast Regional Council
$1,415
Water & sewerage
Estimated Cairns Regional Council Water & Sewerage, standing in
$1,765
Driving commute
Modelled, 2026-27 ATO 91c/km · 80.9km from Cairns CBD · 192 days
$3,533
Home insurance
Estimated flood Low · fire Low
$3,700
Total annual running cost
$10,413
($868/month, $200/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).

↓ 16% below Cassowary Coast Regional Council average
SuburbCost affordability score ●●●○○ 6.8/10 Good
Cheaper to run than 60% of Cassowary Coast Regional 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 Utchee Creek'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 Utchee Creek

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 2026-11-03. 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 Utchee Creek

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

Public transport options are limited in Utchee Creek; driving is the practical commute at $3,533 per year.

What are the council rates in Utchee Creek?

Utchee Creek falls under Cassowary Coast Regional Council. The minimum residential general rate for 2026-27 is $1,415 per year for an owner-occupied house. Properties on higher land value pay more. Unit owners in strata schemes pay $1,415 per year. These figures cover the general rate only and exclude waste and cleansing charges. Water and sewerage on this page is Cairns Regional Council Water & Sewerage 2026-27's charge, standing in until this council's own schedule is loaded.

What does it cost to run a unit in Utchee Creek?

Running a unit in Utchee Creek costs approximately $8,973 per year by car or $8,973 by public transport. This includes council rates of $1,415, water and sewerage $1,765, estimated body corporate levy of $1,500, and contents insurance of $760. Body corporate fees vary significantly between buildings. Always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.

Is Utchee Creek close to public transport?

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

Within a 2 km walk of the centre of Utchee Creek 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: Cassowary Coast Regional Council 2026-27. Water: Cairns Regional 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.