Aitkenvale vs Mundingburra, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Aitkenvale and Mundingburra are both Townsville City Council suburbs, sitting 6.7 km and 5.3 km from Townsville CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Mundingburra runs $666 a year cheaper than Aitkenvale, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $7,635.
Over 10 years, Mundingburra costs about $7,600 less to run than Aitkenvale. That's about $15 a week.
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Mundingburra
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Aitkenvale | Mundingburra | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,343 | $1,343 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,099 | $2,099 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,145 | $1,729 | +$416 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $3,850 | $3,600 | +$250 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,200 | $2,200 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,437 | $8,771 | +$666 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,484 | $7,234 | +$250 |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Aitkenvale | Mundingburra | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,373 | $2,373 | - |
| Unit | $1,945 | $1,945 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2026-27 regulated prices for each suburb's electricity network, including supply charge (AER Default Market Offer caps, or the QCA price in regional Queensland; unit ≈ 75% of a house). Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Cost breakdown chart
Annual cost breakdown, Aitkenvale vs Mundingburra (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Mundingburra costs $666 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $7,635 in favour of Mundingburra.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $416 per year. Aitkenvale is 6.7 km from Townsville CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $250 per year, $7,484 from Aitkenvale versus $7,234 from Mundingburra.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,343 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $2,099 a year.
- Driving commute favours Mundingburra by $416 a year, $1,729 against $2,145.
- Building insurance favours Mundingburra by $250 a year, $3,600 against $3,850.
Both suburbs sit in the same council area, so the rates line is identical and none of the difference between them comes from council. What separates them is commute distance and the insurance band.
The catchment state school scores 5.1 in Mundingburra against 2.8 in Aitkenvale, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Aitkenvale cumulative | Mundingburra cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,437 | $8,771 | $666 |
| Year 3 | $29,169 | $27,110 | $2,059 |
| Year 5 | $50,102 | $46,566 | $3,536 |
| Year 10 | $108,185 | $100,550 | $7,635 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Aitkenvale or Mundingburra cheaper to live in?
Mundingburra is cheaper to run by car at $8,771 per year versus $9,437 for Aitkenvale, a difference of $666 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Aitkenvale and Mundingburra?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,343 in Aitkenvale (Townsville City Council) and $1,343 in Mundingburra (Townsville City Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,099 in Aitkenvale and $2,099 in Mundingburra. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Aitkenvale and Mundingburra?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,145 from Aitkenvale and $1,729 from Mundingburra to Townsville CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Aitkenvale and $192 from Mundingburra.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Aitkenvale and Mundingburra?
At 3% annual cost growth, Aitkenvale costs a cumulative $108,185 and Mundingburra costs $100,550 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $7,635 in favour of Mundingburra. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Aitkenvale and Mundingburra suits you better?
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Sources: Townsville City Council and Townsville City Council rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.