Camp Mountain vs Samford Village: 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 Samford Village are both Moreton Bay Regional Council suburbs, sitting 16.4 km and 17.5 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Camp Mountain runs $322 a year cheaper than Samford Village, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,691.
Over 10 years these two cost about the same to run. The difference here isn't money — it's location, schools and lifestyle.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Camp Mountain
Samford Village
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Camp Mountain | Samford Village | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,309 | $1,309 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,144 | $2,144 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,556 | $4,778 | -$222 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,000 | $3,100 | -$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,000 | $2,300 | -$300 |
| Total (driving) | $11,009 | $11,331 | -$322 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,645 | $6,745 | -$100 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Camp Mountain | Samford Village | 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 Samford Village (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Camp Mountain costs $322 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,691 in favour of Camp Mountain.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $222 per year. Samford Village is 17.5 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $6,645 and $6,745 a year, so the $322 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
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 $222 a year, $4,556 against $4,778.
- Building insurance favours Camp Mountain by $100 a year, $3,000 against $3,100.
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 | Camp Mountain cumulative | Samford Village cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,009 | $11,331 | $322 |
| Year 3 | $34,028 | $35,023 | $995 |
| Year 5 | $58,448 | $60,158 | $1,710 |
| Year 10 | $126,206 | $129,897 | $3,691 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Camp Mountain or Samford Village cheaper to live in?
Camp Mountain is cheaper to run by car at $11,009 per year versus $11,331 for Samford Village, a difference of $322 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 Samford Village?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,309 in Camp Mountain (Moreton Bay Regional Council) and $1,309 in Samford Village (Moreton Bay Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,144 in Camp Mountain and $2,144 in Samford Village. 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 Village?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,556 from Camp Mountain and $4,778 from Samford Village to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Camp Mountain and $192 from Samford Village.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Camp Mountain and Samford Village?
At 3% annual cost growth, Camp Mountain costs a cumulative $126,206 and Samford Village costs $129,897 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,691 in favour of Camp Mountain. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Camp Mountain and Samford Village 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: 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 AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.