Bushland Beach 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
Bushland Beach and Mount Low are both Townsville City Council suburbs, sitting 15.6 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 $424 a year cheaper than Bushland Beach, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,861.
Over 10 years the gap between these two is about $4,900, about $9 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Mount Low
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bushland Beach | Mount Low | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,343 | $1,343 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,099 | $2,099 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $4,389 | $4,515 | -$126 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $4,150 | $3,600 | +$550 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,200 | $2,000 | +$200 |
| Total (driving) | $11,981 | $11,557 | +$424 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,784 | $7,234 | +$550 |
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 | Bushland Beach | 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, Bushland Beach vs Mount Low (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Bushland Beach and Mount Low differ by $424 a year by car, but $550 of that is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On the sourced costs, council rates, water and the commute, the gap is $126, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $550 per year.
On public transport the gap is $550 per year, $7,784 from Bushland Beach versus $7,234 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 Bushland Beach by $126 a year, $4,389 against $4,515.
- Building insurance favours Mount Low by $550 a year, $3,600 against $4,150.
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 | Bushland Beach cumulative | Mount Low cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,981 | $11,557 | $424 |
| Year 3 | $37,032 | $35,722 | $1,310 |
| Year 5 | $63,609 | $61,358 | $2,251 |
| Year 10 | $137,349 | $132,488 | $4,861 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bushland Beach or Mount Low cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Bushland Beach runs $11,981 a year by car and Mount Low $11,557, but most of the $424 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $126. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Bushland Beach and Mount Low?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,343 in Bushland Beach (Townsville City Council) and $1,343 in Mount Low (Townsville City Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,099 in Bushland Beach 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 Bushland Beach and Mount Low?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,389 from Bushland Beach and $4,515 from Mount Low to Townsville CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Bushland Beach and $192 from Mount Low.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bushland Beach and Mount Low?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bushland Beach costs a cumulative $137,349 and Mount Low costs $132,488 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,861 in favour of Mount Low. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bushland Beach and Mount Low suits you better?
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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 insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.