Camp Mountain vs Jollys Lookout, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Camp Mountain and Jollys Lookout are both Moreton Bay Regional Council suburbs, sitting 16.4 km and 19.9 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Camp Mountain runs $918 a year cheaper than Jollys Lookout, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $10,524.
Over 10 years, Camp Mountain costs about $10,500 less to run than Jollys Lookout. That's about $20 a week.
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Jollys Lookout
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Camp Mountain | Jollys Lookout | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,309 | $1,309 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,144 | $2,144 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $4,556 | $5,224 | -$668 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,100 | $2,350 | -$250 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,000 | $1,500 | +$500 |
| Total (driving) | $10,109 | $11,027 | -$918 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,745 | $5,995 | -$250 |
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 | Camp Mountain | Jollys Lookout | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,135 | $2,135 | - |
| Unit | $1,776 | $1,776 | - |
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, Camp Mountain vs Jollys Lookout (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Camp Mountain costs $918 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $10,524 in favour of Camp Mountain.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $668 per year. Jollys Lookout is 19.9 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $250 per year, $5,745 from Camp Mountain versus $5,995 from Jollys Lookout.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,309 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $2,144 a year.
- Driving commute favours Camp Mountain by $668 a year, $4,556 against $5,224.
- Building insurance favours Camp Mountain by $250 a year, $2,100 against $2,350.
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 8.5 in Camp Mountain against 7.1 in Jollys Lookout, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Camp Mountain cumulative | Jollys Lookout cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,109 | $11,027 | $918 |
| Year 3 | $31,246 | $34,083 | $2,837 |
| Year 5 | $53,670 | $58,544 | $4,874 |
| Year 10 | $115,888 | $126,412 | $10,524 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Camp Mountain or Jollys Lookout cheaper to live in?
Camp Mountain is cheaper to run by car at $10,109 per year versus $11,027 for Jollys Lookout, a difference of $918 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Camp Mountain and Jollys Lookout?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,309 in Camp Mountain (Moreton Bay Regional Council) and $1,309 in Jollys Lookout (Moreton Bay Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,144 in Camp Mountain and $2,144 in Jollys Lookout. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Camp Mountain and Jollys Lookout?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,556 from Camp Mountain and $5,224 from Jollys Lookout to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Camp Mountain and $192 from Jollys Lookout.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Camp Mountain and Jollys Lookout?
At 3% annual cost growth, Camp Mountain costs a cumulative $115,888 and Jollys Lookout costs $126,412 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $10,524 in favour of Camp Mountain. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Camp Mountain and Jollys Lookout suits you better?
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Sources: Moreton Bay Regional Council and Moreton Bay 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.