Berat vs Mount Marshall, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Berat and Mount Marshall are both Southern Downs Regional Council suburbs, sitting 55.8 km and 58.2 km from Toowoomba CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Mount Marshall runs $556 a year cheaper than Berat, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,374.
Over 10 years, Mount Marshall costs about $6,400 less to run than Berat. That's about $12 a week.
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Mount Marshall
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Berat | Mount Marshall | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,416 | $1,416 | - |
| Water & sewerage Estimated stand-in | $2,188 | $2,188 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $5,898 | $5,542 | +$356 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $5,898 | $5,542 | +$356 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,150 | $1,950 | +$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,500 | $1,600 | -$100 |
| Total (driving) | $11,652 | $11,096 | +$556 |
| Total (public transport) | $11,652 | $11,096 | +$556 |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Berat's water charge is Toowoomba Regional Council Water & Sewerage's, standing in until its own council's schedule is loaded. Mount Marshall's water charge is Toowoomba Regional Council Water & Sewerage's, standing in until its own council's schedule is loaded. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Berat | Mount Marshall | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,274 | $2,274 | - |
| Unit | $1,870 | $1,870 | - |
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, Berat vs Mount Marshall (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Mount Marshall costs $556 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $6,374 in favour of Mount Marshall.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $356 per year. Mount Marshall is 58.2 km from Toowoomba CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $556 per year, $11,652 from Berat versus $11,096 from Mount Marshall.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,416 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $2,188 a year.
- Driving commute favours Mount Marshall by $356 a year, $5,542 against $5,898.
- Building insurance favours Mount Marshall by $200 a year, $1,950 against $2,150.
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 | Berat cumulative | Mount Marshall cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,652 | $11,096 | $556 |
| Year 3 | $36,015 | $34,297 | $1,718 |
| Year 5 | $61,862 | $58,910 | $2,952 |
| Year 10 | $133,577 | $127,203 | $6,374 |
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 $11,096 per year versus $11,652 for Berat, a difference of $556 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Berat and Mount Marshall?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,416 in Berat (Southern Downs Regional Council) and $1,416 in Mount Marshall (Southern Downs 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 $5,898 from Berat and $5,542 from Mount Marshall to Toowoomba CBD (ATO 91c/km). No daily public transport commute is assumed from either suburb, so both are costed by car.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Berat and Mount Marshall?
At 3% annual cost growth, Berat costs a cumulative $133,577 and Mount Marshall costs $127,203 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,374 in favour of Mount Marshall. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Berat and Mount Marshall suits you better?
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Sources: Southern Downs Regional Council and Southern Downs 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.