Charlwood vs Mount French, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Charlwood and Mount French are both Scenic Rim Regional Council suburbs, sitting 40.6 km and 35.8 km from Beaudesert CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $25 a year of each other to run, so running cost is a minor factor here. The decision comes down to schools, risk and lifestyle, all in the free report.
Over 10 years these two cost about the same to run.
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Mount French
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Charlwood | Mount French | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,376 | $1,376 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,987 | $6,912 | +$75 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,987 | $6,912 | +$75 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,200 | $2,300 | -$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,600 | $1,400 | +$200 |
| Total (driving) | $12,463 | $12,488 | -$25 |
| Total (public transport) | $12,463 | $12,488 | -$25 |
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 | Charlwood | Mount French | 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, Charlwood vs Mount French (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Charlwood and Mount French cost within $25 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $287, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $100 per year.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $12,463 and $12,488 a year, so the $25 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,376 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,900 a year.
- Driving commute favours Mount French by $75 a year, $6,912 against $6,987.
- Building insurance favours Charlwood by $100 a year, $2,200 against $2,300.
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 | Charlwood cumulative | Mount French cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,463 | $12,488 | $25 |
| Year 3 | $38,522 | $38,599 | $77 |
| Year 5 | $66,168 | $66,300 | $132 |
| Year 10 | $142,874 | $143,161 | $287 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Charlwood or Mount French cheaper to live in?
Charlwood is cheaper to run by car at $12,463 per year versus $12,488 for Mount French, a difference of $25 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Charlwood and Mount French?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,376 in Charlwood (Scenic Rim Regional Council) and $1,376 in Mount French (Scenic Rim Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Charlwood and $1,900 in Mount French. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Charlwood and Mount French?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,987 from Charlwood and $6,912 from Mount French to Beaudesert CBD (ATO 91c/km). No daily public transport commute is assumed from either suburb, so both are costed by car.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Charlwood and Mount French?
At 3% annual cost growth, Charlwood costs a cumulative $142,874 and Mount French costs $143,161 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $287 in favour of Charlwood. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Charlwood and Mount French suits you better?
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Sources: Scenic Rim Regional Council and Scenic Rim 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.