Beach Holm vs Mount Low: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Beach Holm and Mount Low are both Townsville City Council suburbs, sitting 18.8 km and 16.2 km from Townsville CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Mount Low runs $1,111 a year cheaper than Beach Holm, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $12,737.
Over 10 years, Mount Low costs about $12,700 less to run than Beach Holm — the same as paying $12,700 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Beach Holm
Mount Low
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Beach Holm | Mount Low | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,343 | $1,343 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,099 | $2,099 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,026 | $4,515 | +$511 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $4,800 | $4,200 | +$600 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,000 | $2,000 | - |
| Total (driving) | $13,268 | $12,157 | +$1,111 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,434 | $7,834 | +$600 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Beach Holm | Mount Low | 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 — Beach Holm vs Mount Low (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Mount Low costs $1,111 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $12,737 in favour of Mount Low.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $600 per year.
On public transport the gap is $600 per year, $8,434 from Beach Holm versus $7,834 from Mount Low.
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 Mount Low by $511 a year, $4,515 against $5,026.
- Building insurance favours Mount Low by $600 a year, $4,200 against $4,800.
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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Beach Holm cumulative | Mount Low cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $13,268 | $12,157 | $1,111 |
| Year 3 | $41,010 | $37,576 | $3,434 |
| Year 5 | $70,442 | $64,543 | $5,899 |
| Year 10 | $152,103 | $139,366 | $12,737 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Beach Holm or Mount Low cheaper to live in?
Mount Low is cheaper to run by car at $12,157 per year versus $13,268 for Beach Holm, a difference of $1,111 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Beach Holm and Mount Low?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,343 in Beach Holm (Townsville City Council) and $1,343 in Mount Low (Townsville City Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,099 in Beach Holm and $2,099 in Mount Low. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Beach Holm and Mount Low?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,026 from Beach Holm and $4,515 from Mount Low to Townsville CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Beach Holm and $192 from Mount Low.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Beach Holm and Mount Low?
At 3% annual cost growth, Beach Holm costs a cumulative $152,103 and Mount Low costs $139,366 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $12,737 in favour of Mount Low. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Beach Holm and Mount Low 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: 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 AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.