Bald Knob vs Mount Mellum: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Bald Knob and Mount Mellum are both Sunshine Coast Council suburbs, sitting 23.4 km and 24.1 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Bald Knob runs $397 a year cheaper than Mount Mellum, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,551.
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 →Bald Knob
Mount Mellum
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bald Knob | Mount Mellum | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,771 | $1,771 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,094 | $2,094 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,594 | $5,691 | -$97 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,700 | $3,000 | -$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,600 | $1,800 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $12,159 | $12,556 | -$397 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,757 | $7,057 | -$300 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Bald Knob | Mount Mellum | 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 — Bald Knob vs Mount Mellum (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Bald Knob costs $397 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,551 in favour of Bald Knob.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $300 per year.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $6,757 from Bald Knob versus $7,057 from Mount Mellum.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bald Knob cumulative | Mount Mellum cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,159 | $12,556 | $397 |
| Year 3 | $37,582 | $38,809 | $1,227 |
| Year 5 | $64,554 | $66,662 | $2,108 |
| Year 10 | $139,389 | $143,940 | $4,551 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bald Knob or Mount Mellum cheaper to live in?
Bald Knob is cheaper to run by car at $12,159 per year versus $12,556 for Mount Mellum, a difference of $397 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Bald Knob and Mount Mellum?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,771 in Bald Knob (Sunshine Coast Council) and $1,771 in Mount Mellum (Sunshine Coast Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,094 in Bald Knob and $2,094 in Mount Mellum. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Bald Knob and Mount Mellum?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,594 from Bald Knob and $5,691 from Mount Mellum to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Bald Knob and $192 from Mount Mellum.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bald Knob and Mount Mellum?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bald Knob costs a cumulative $139,389 and Mount Mellum costs $143,940 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,551 in favour of Bald Knob. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bald Knob and Mount Mellum 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.
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Sources: Sunshine Coast Council and Sunshine Coast 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.