Clear Mountain vs Closeburn: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Clear Mountain and Closeburn are both Moreton Bay Regional Council suburbs, sitting 21.2 km and 22.4 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Clear Mountain runs $992 a year cheaper than Closeburn, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $11,372.
Over 10 years, Clear Mountain costs about $11,400 less to run than Closeburn — the same as paying $11,400 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Closeburn
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Clear Mountain | Closeburn | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,309 | $1,309 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,144 | $2,144 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,444 | $5,636 | -$192 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,100 | $3,900 | -$800 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,200 | $2,500 | -$300 |
| Total (driving) | $11,997 | $12,989 | -$992 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,745 | $7,545 | -$800 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Clear Mountain | Closeburn | 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 — Clear Mountain vs Closeburn (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Clear Mountain costs $992 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $11,372 in favour of Clear Mountain.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $800 per year. Closeburn carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $800 per year, $6,745 from Clear Mountain versus $7,545 from Closeburn.
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 Clear Mountain by $192 a year, $5,444 against $5,636.
- Building insurance favours Clear Mountain by $800 a year, $3,100 against $3,900.
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.
Flood risk is rated medium in Closeburn against low in Clear Mountain, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Clear Mountain cumulative | Closeburn cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,997 | $12,989 | $992 |
| Year 3 | $37,082 | $40,148 | $3,066 |
| Year 5 | $63,694 | $68,960 | $5,266 |
| Year 10 | $137,532 | $148,904 | $11,372 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Clear Mountain or Closeburn cheaper to live in?
Clear Mountain is cheaper to run by car at $11,997 per year versus $12,989 for Closeburn, a difference of $992 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Clear Mountain and Closeburn?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,309 in Clear Mountain (Moreton Bay Regional Council) and $1,309 in Closeburn (Moreton Bay Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,144 in Clear Mountain and $2,144 in Closeburn. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Clear Mountain and Closeburn?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,444 from Clear Mountain and $5,636 from Closeburn to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Clear Mountain and $192 from Closeburn.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Clear Mountain and Closeburn?
At 3% annual cost growth, Clear Mountain costs a cumulative $137,532 and Closeburn costs $148,904 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $11,372 in favour of Clear Mountain. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Clear Mountain and Closeburn 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.