Bentley Park 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
Bentley Park and Mount Sheridan are both Cairns Regional Council suburbs, sitting 11.6 km and 9.2 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Mount Sheridan runs $300 a year cheaper than Bentley Park, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,439.
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 →Bentley Park
Mount Sheridan
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bentley Park | Mount Sheridan | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,165 | $1,165 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,765 | $1,765 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,351 | $2,751 | +$600 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $6,500 | $6,800 | -$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,200 | $2,200 | - |
| Total (driving) | $12,781 | $12,481 | +$300 |
| 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 | Bentley Park | 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 — Bentley Park vs Mount Sheridan (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Mount Sheridan costs $300 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,439 in favour of Mount Sheridan.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $600 per year. Bentley Park is 11.6 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 Bentley Park versus $9,922 from Mount Sheridan.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bentley Park cumulative | Mount Sheridan cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,781 | $12,481 | $300 |
| Year 3 | $39,505 | $38,578 | $927 |
| Year 5 | $67,856 | $66,263 | $1,593 |
| Year 10 | $146,520 | $143,081 | $3,439 |
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 $12,481 per year versus $12,781 for Bentley Park, a difference of $300 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/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 $1,165 in Bentley Park (Cairns Regional Council) and $1,165 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 $3,351 from Bentley Park and $2,751 from Mount Sheridan to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/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 $146,520 and Mount Sheridan costs $143,081 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,439 in favour of Mount Sheridan. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bentley Park 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.