Camp Mountain vs Samford Valley: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Camp Mountain and Samford Valley are both Moreton Bay Regional Council suburbs, sitting 16.4 km and 19.1 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Camp Mountain runs $707 a year cheaper than Samford Valley, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $8,105.
Over 10 years, Camp Mountain costs about $8,100 less to run than Samford Valley — the same as paying $8,100 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Samford Valley
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Camp Mountain | Samford Valley | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,636 | $1,636 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,144 | $2,144 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,406 | $4,913 | -$507 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,000 | $3,200 | -$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,000 | $2,200 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $11,186 | $11,893 | -$707 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,972 | $7,172 | -$200 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Camp Mountain | Samford Valley | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $1,976 | $1,976 | - |
| Unit | $1,591 | $1,591 | - |
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 — Camp Mountain vs Samford Valley (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Camp Mountain costs $707 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $8,105 in favour of Camp Mountain.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $507 per year. Samford Valley is 19.1 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, $6,972 from Camp Mountain versus $7,172 from Samford Valley.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Camp Mountain cumulative | Samford Valley cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,186 | $11,893 | $707 |
| Year 3 | $34,575 | $36,760 | $2,185 |
| Year 5 | $59,388 | $63,142 | $3,754 |
| Year 10 | $128,235 | $136,340 | $8,105 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Camp Mountain or Samford Valley cheaper to live in?
Camp Mountain is cheaper to run by car at $11,186 per year versus $11,893 for Samford Valley, a difference of $707 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Camp Mountain and Samford Valley?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,636 in Camp Mountain (Moreton Bay Regional Council) and $1,636 in Samford Valley (Moreton Bay Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,144 in Camp Mountain and $2,144 in Samford Valley. 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 Samford Valley?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,406 from Camp Mountain and $4,913 from Samford Valley to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Camp Mountain and $192 from Samford Valley.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Camp Mountain and Samford Valley?
At 3% annual cost growth, Camp Mountain costs a cumulative $128,235 and Samford Valley costs $136,340 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $8,105 in favour of Camp Mountain. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Camp Mountain and Samford Valley 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: 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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.