Cornubia vs Mount Cotton: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Cornubia (Logan City Council) and Mount Cotton (Redland City Council) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Brisbane CBD (28 km and 25.9 km).
Mount Cotton runs $352 a year cheaper than Cornubia, driven mostly by council rates. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,035.
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 →Cornubia
Mount Cotton
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Cornubia | Mount Cotton | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,816 | $1,436 | +$380 |
| Water & sewerage | $2,149 | $2,308 | -$159 |
| Commute (driving) | $6,150 | $5,919 | +$231 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,900 | $3,000 | -$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,200 | $2,200 | - |
| Total (driving) | $13,015 | $12,663 | +$352 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,057 | $6,936 | +$121 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Cornubia | Mount Cotton | 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 — Cornubia vs Mount Cotton (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Mount Cotton costs $352 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,035 in favour of Mount Cotton.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $380 per year.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,057 and $6,936 a year, so the $352 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Cornubia cumulative | Mount Cotton cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $13,015 | $12,663 | $352 |
| Year 3 | $40,228 | $39,140 | $1,088 |
| Year 5 | $69,098 | $67,230 | $1,868 |
| Year 10 | $149,202 | $145,167 | $4,035 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cornubia or Mount Cotton cheaper to live in?
Mount Cotton is cheaper to run by car at $12,663 per year versus $13,015 for Cornubia, a difference of $352 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Cornubia and Mount Cotton?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,816 in Cornubia (Logan City Council) and $1,436 in Mount Cotton (Redland City Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,149 in Cornubia and $2,308 in Mount Cotton. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Cornubia and Mount Cotton?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,150 from Cornubia and $5,919 from Mount Cotton to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Cornubia and $192 from Mount Cotton.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Cornubia and Mount Cotton?
At 3% annual cost growth, Cornubia costs a cumulative $149,202 and Mount Cotton costs $145,167 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,035 in favour of Mount Cotton. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Cornubia and Mount Cotton 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: Logan City Council and Redland City 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.