Yarrabah sits 15.2 kilometres from Brisbane CBD. Annual running costs for a house total $11,398, covering council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance. Unit costs come in at $6,758, as lower council rates more than offset the $1,800 body corporate levy. At 15.2km from the CBD, transport mode shifts the annual total by $1,092. The gap widens as commute costs rise.
Annual cost — house
$11,398
Driving · per year
$950/month
Lower cost
Annual cost — unit
$6,758
Incl. body corporate
$563/month
House vs unit difference
−$4,640
Unit is cheaper per year
Annual cost breakdown
Council rates
Cairns Regional Council 2025-26
$1,121
Water & sewerage
Cairns Regional Council Water & Sewerage 2025-26
$1,793
Commute — driving
ATO 88c/km · 15.2km from CBD · 192 days
$1,284
Home insurance
Estimated — flood Low, fire Low
$7,200
Body corporate
Estimated
$1,800
Total annual running cost
$11,398
($950/month)
↓ 18% below Cairns Regional Council average
SuburbCost affordability score ●●●●○8.0/10
Compare Yarrabah with another suburb
Nearby: No nearby suburbs with data found
Is it cheaper to drive or take public transport from Yarrabah to the CBD?
Public transport saves Yarrabah residents $1,092 per year. Annual commute cost by car is $1,284 versus $192 by public transport using Translink's flat 50 cent fare.
What are the council rates in Yarrabah?
Yarrabah falls under Cairns Regional Council. The residential general rate for 2025–26 is $1,121 per year for an owner-occupied house. Unit owners in strata schemes pay $1,121 per year. These figures cover the general rate only and exclude waste and cleansing charges.
What does it cost to run a unit in Yarrabah?
Running a unit in Yarrabah costs approximately $6,758 per year by car or $5,666 by public transport. This includes council rates of $1,121, water and sewerage $1,793, estimated body corporate levy of $1,800, and contents insurance of $760. Body corporate fees vary significantly between buildings — always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.
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Data sources: Council rates: Cairns Regional Council 2025-26. Water: Cairns Regional Council Water & Sewerage 2025-26. Commute: ATO cents per kilometre rate 2025–26 (88c/km). Insurance: AI-estimated, disclosed as estimate. Schools: ACARA NAPLAN 2025. Risk: Queensland Globe, QFES. Data updated July 2025. Cost estimates are for comparison purposes only and do not constitute financial, insurance, or credit advice.