Camp Mountain vs Wights Mountain: 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 Wights Mountain are both Moreton Bay Regional Council suburbs, sitting 16.4 km and 19.6 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Camp Mountain runs $565 a year cheaper than Wights Mountain, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,477.
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
Wights Mountain
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Camp Mountain | Wights Mountain | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,309 | $1,309 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,144 | $2,144 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,556 | $5,171 | -$615 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,000 | $2,950 | +$50 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,000 | $1,900 | +$100 |
| Total (driving) | $11,009 | $11,574 | -$565 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,645 | $6,595 | +$50 |
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 | Wights Mountain | 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 Wights Mountain (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Camp Mountain costs $565 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $6,477 in favour of Camp Mountain.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $615 per year. Wights Mountain is 19.6 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 $6,595 a year, so the $565 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 $615 a year, $4,556 against $5,171.
- Building insurance favours Wights Mountain by $50 a year, $2,950 against $3,000.
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 | Wights Mountain cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,009 | $11,574 | $565 |
| Year 3 | $34,028 | $35,774 | $1,746 |
| Year 5 | $58,448 | $61,448 | $3,000 |
| Year 10 | $126,206 | $132,683 | $6,477 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Camp Mountain or Wights Mountain cheaper to live in?
Camp Mountain is cheaper to run by car at $11,009 per year versus $11,574 for Wights Mountain, a difference of $565 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 Wights Mountain?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,309 in Camp Mountain (Moreton Bay Regional Council) and $1,309 in Wights Mountain (Moreton Bay Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,144 in Camp Mountain and $2,144 in Wights Mountain. 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 Wights Mountain?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,556 from Camp Mountain and $5,171 from Wights Mountain to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Camp Mountain and $192 from Wights Mountain.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Camp Mountain and Wights Mountain?
At 3% annual cost growth, Camp Mountain costs a cumulative $126,206 and Wights Mountain costs $132,683 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,477 in favour of Camp Mountain. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Camp Mountain and Wights Mountain 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.