Augustine Heights vs Spring Mountain: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Augustine Heights and Spring Mountain are both Ipswich City Council suburbs, sitting 25.7 km and 29.7 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Augustine Heights runs $515 a year cheaper than Spring Mountain, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,904.
Over 10 years these two cost about the same to run. The difference here isn't money — it's location, schools and lifestyle.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Augustine Heights
Spring Mountain
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Augustine Heights | Spring Mountain | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,298 | $1,298 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,895 | $6,310 | -$415 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,800 | $2,900 | -$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,200 | $2,000 | +$200 |
| Total (driving) | $11,893 | $12,408 | -$515 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,190 | $6,290 | -$100 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Augustine Heights | Spring Mountain | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $1,976 | $1,976 | - |
| Unit | $1,591 | $1,591 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2025 rates (QLD 30c/kWh, NSW 33c/kWh incl. supply charge; unit ≈ 75% of a house). Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Cost breakdown chart
Annual cost breakdown — Augustine Heights vs Spring Mountain (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Augustine Heights costs $515 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,904 in favour of Augustine Heights.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $415 per year. Spring Mountain is 29.7 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $6,190 and $6,290 a year, so the $515 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Augustine Heights cumulative | Spring Mountain cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,893 | $12,408 | $515 |
| Year 3 | $36,760 | $38,352 | $1,592 |
| Year 5 | $63,142 | $65,876 | $2,734 |
| Year 10 | $136,340 | $142,244 | $5,904 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Augustine Heights or Spring Mountain cheaper to live in?
Augustine Heights is cheaper to run by car at $11,893 per year versus $12,408 for Spring Mountain, a difference of $515 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Augustine Heights and Spring Mountain?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,298 in Augustine Heights (Ipswich City Council) and $1,298 in Spring Mountain (Ipswich City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Augustine Heights and $1,900 in Spring Mountain. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Augustine Heights and Spring Mountain?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,895 from Augustine Heights and $6,310 from Spring Mountain to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Augustine Heights and $192 from Spring Mountain.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Augustine Heights and Spring Mountain?
At 3% annual cost growth, Augustine Heights costs a cumulative $136,340 and Spring Mountain costs $142,244 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,904 in favour of Augustine Heights. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Augustine Heights and Spring Mountain is best to actually live in?
You've got the costs. Get the free personalised report for the rest: a clear verdict on which suburb wins, the full flood, fire and crime risk profile, nearest schools, estimated electricity cost by number of occupants, and your own loan or rent stress-tested over 10 years. No spam.
Related comparisons
Sources: Ipswich City Council and Ipswich City Council rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.