Berat vs Mount Marshall: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Berat and Mount Marshall are both Toowoomba Regional Council suburbs, sitting 55.8 km and 58.2 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Mount Marshall runs $545 a year cheaper than Berat, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,248.
Over 10 years these two cost about the same to run. The difference here isn't money — it's location, schools and lifestyle.
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Mount Marshall
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Berat | Mount Marshall | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,444 | $1,444 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,188 | $2,188 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,704 | $5,359 | +$345 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,200 | $2,000 | +$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,600 | -$100 |
| Total (driving) | $11,536 | $10,991 | +$545 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,024 | $5,824 | +$200 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Berat | Mount Marshall | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,115 | $2,115 | - |
| Unit | $1,696 | $1,696 | - |
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 — Berat vs Mount Marshall (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Mount Marshall costs $545 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $6,248 in favour of Mount Marshall.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $345 per year. Mount Marshall is 58.2 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the gap is $200 per year, $6,024 from Berat versus $5,824 from Mount Marshall.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Berat cumulative | Mount Marshall cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,536 | $10,991 | $545 |
| Year 3 | $35,657 | $33,972 | $1,685 |
| Year 5 | $61,246 | $58,353 | $2,893 |
| Year 10 | $132,247 | $125,999 | $6,248 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Berat or Mount Marshall cheaper to live in?
Mount Marshall is cheaper to run by car at $10,991 per year versus $11,536 for Berat, a difference of $545 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Berat and Mount Marshall?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,444 in Berat (Toowoomba Regional Council) and $1,444 in Mount Marshall (Toowoomba Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,188 in Berat and $2,188 in Mount Marshall. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Berat and Mount Marshall?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,704 from Berat and $5,359 from Mount Marshall to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Berat and $192 from Mount Marshall.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Berat and Mount Marshall?
At 3% annual cost growth, Berat costs a cumulative $132,247 and Mount Marshall costs $125,999 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,248 in favour of Mount Marshall. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Berat and Mount Marshall 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: Toowoomba Regional Council and Toowoomba 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.