Cornubia vs Mount Cotton, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/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 $443 a year cheaper than Cornubia, driven mostly by council rates. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,078.
Over 10 years, Mount Cotton costs about $5,100 less to run than Cornubia. That's about $10 a week.
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Mount Cotton
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Cornubia | Mount Cotton | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,699 | $1,436 | +$263 |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,149 | $2,308 | -$159 |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,360 | $6,121 | +$239 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,250 | $2,150 | +$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,200 | $2,200 | - |
| Total (driving) | $12,458 | $12,015 | +$443 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,290 | $6,086 | +$204 |
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 | Cornubia | Mount Cotton | 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, Cornubia vs Mount Cotton (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Mount Cotton costs $443 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,078 in favour of Mount Cotton.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $263 per year.
On public transport the gap is $204 per year, $6,290 from Cornubia versus $6,086 from Mount Cotton.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Mount Cotton by $263 a year, $1,436 against $1,699.
- Water and sewerage favours Cornubia by $159 a year, $2,149 against $2,308.
- Driving commute favours Mount Cotton by $239 a year, $6,121 against $6,360.
- Building insurance favours Mount Cotton by $100 a year, $2,150 against $2,250.
They sit in different council areas, so the rates line is set by two different councils. For QLD that figure is the minimum residential general rate for an owner-occupied principal place of residence, a floor rather than a typical bill.
The catchment state school scores 7.2 in Mount Cotton against 5.8 in Cornubia, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Cornubia cumulative | Mount Cotton cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,458 | $12,015 | $443 |
| Year 3 | $38,506 | $37,137 | $1,369 |
| Year 5 | $66,141 | $63,789 | $2,352 |
| Year 10 | $142,817 | $137,739 | $5,078 |
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 $12,015 per year versus $12,458 for Cornubia, a difference of $443 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Cornubia and Mount Cotton?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,699 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 $6,360 from Cornubia and $6,121 from Mount Cotton to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/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 $142,817 and Mount Cotton costs $137,739 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,078 in favour of Mount Cotton. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Cornubia and Mount Cotton suits you better?
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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 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.