Bentley Park vs Mount Sheridan, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Bentley Park and Mount Sheridan are both Cairns Regional Council suburbs, sitting 11.6 km and 9.2 km from Cairns CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Mount Sheridan runs $570 a year cheaper than Bentley Park, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,534.
Over 10 years, Mount Sheridan costs about $6,500 less to run than Bentley Park. That's about $13 a week.
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Mount Sheridan
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bentley Park | Mount Sheridan | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,166 | $1,166 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,765 | $1,765 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $3,465 | $2,845 | +$620 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $3,650 | $3,700 | -$50 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,200 | $2,200 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,046 | $9,476 | +$570 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,773 | $6,823 | -$50 |
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 | Bentley Park | Mount Sheridan | 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, Bentley Park vs Mount Sheridan (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Mount Sheridan costs $570 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $6,534 in favour of Mount Sheridan.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $620 per year. Bentley Park is 11.6 km from Cairns CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $6,773 and $6,823 a year, so the $570 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,166 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,765 a year.
- Driving commute favours Mount Sheridan by $620 a year, $2,845 against $3,465.
- Building insurance favours Bentley Park by $50 a year, $3,650 against $3,700.
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 3.5 in Bentley Park against 1.9 in Mount Sheridan, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bentley Park cumulative | Mount Sheridan cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,046 | $9,476 | $570 |
| Year 3 | $31,051 | $29,289 | $1,762 |
| Year 5 | $53,336 | $50,309 | $3,027 |
| Year 10 | $115,166 | $108,632 | $6,534 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bentley Park or Mount Sheridan cheaper to live in?
Mount Sheridan is cheaper to run by car at $9,476 per year versus $10,046 for Bentley Park, a difference of $570 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Bentley Park and Mount Sheridan?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,166 in Bentley Park (Cairns Regional Council) and $1,166 in Mount Sheridan (Cairns Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,765 in Bentley Park 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 Bentley Park and Mount Sheridan?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,465 from Bentley Park and $2,845 from Mount Sheridan to Cairns CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Bentley Park and $192 from Mount Sheridan.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bentley Park and Mount Sheridan?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bentley Park costs a cumulative $115,166 and Mount Sheridan costs $108,632 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,534 in favour of Mount Sheridan. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bentley Park and Mount Sheridan suits you better?
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Sources: Cairns Regional Council and Cairns Regional 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.