Bayview Heights vs Mount Sheridan: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Bayview Heights and Mount Sheridan are both Cairns Regional Council suburbs, sitting 7.4 km and 9.2 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Bayview Heights runs $782 a year cheaper than Mount Sheridan, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $8,965.
Over 10 years, Bayview Heights costs about $9,000 less to run than Mount Sheridan — the same as paying $9,000 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Mount Sheridan
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bayview Heights | Mount Sheridan | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,165 | $1,165 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,765 | $1,765 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,269 | $2,751 | -$482 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $6,500 | $6,800 | -$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,200 | $2,200 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,699 | $12,481 | -$782 |
| Total (public transport) | $9,622 | $9,922 | -$300 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Bayview Heights | Mount Sheridan | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,218 | $2,218 | - |
| Unit | $1,773 | $1,773 | - |
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 — Bayview Heights vs Mount Sheridan (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Bayview Heights costs $782 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $8,965 in favour of Bayview Heights.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $482 per year. Mount Sheridan is 9.2 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $9,622 from Bayview Heights versus $9,922 from Mount Sheridan.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bayview Heights cumulative | Mount Sheridan cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,699 | $12,481 | $782 |
| Year 3 | $36,160 | $38,578 | $2,418 |
| Year 5 | $62,112 | $66,263 | $4,151 |
| Year 10 | $134,116 | $143,081 | $8,965 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bayview Heights or Mount Sheridan cheaper to live in?
Bayview Heights is cheaper to run by car at $11,699 per year versus $12,481 for Mount Sheridan, a difference of $782 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Bayview Heights and Mount Sheridan?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,165 in Bayview Heights (Cairns Regional Council) and $1,165 in Mount Sheridan (Cairns Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,765 in Bayview Heights and $1,765 in Mount Sheridan. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Bayview Heights and Mount Sheridan?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,269 from Bayview Heights and $2,751 from Mount Sheridan to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Bayview Heights and $192 from Mount Sheridan.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bayview Heights and Mount Sheridan?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bayview Heights costs a cumulative $134,116 and Mount Sheridan costs $143,081 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $8,965 in favour of Bayview Heights. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bayview Heights and Mount Sheridan 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: Cairns Regional Council and Cairns Regional 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.