Council rates Cost of living calculator Electricity calculator About Blog Suburbs

Council rates: 2026-27 · Water & commute: 2025-26 · Sources: council websites, QUU, ATO, ABS

Deeragun vs Mount Low: true annual running costs compared (2026)

Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks

Deeragun and Mount Low are both Townsville City Council suburbs, sitting 15.6 km and 16.2 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.

The verdict
Deeragun and Mount Low cost about the same to live in

The two sit within $122 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.

$122difference per year
$1,398over 10 years
the commutebiggest cost driver

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 →

Deeragun

4818 · Townsville City Council · 15.6 km from CBD
$11,886
Total annual cost (driving)
Public transport total$7,834
School score3.3/10
Flood & fire riskIn report

Mount Low

4818 · Townsville City Council · 16.2 km from CBD
$12,008
Total annual cost (driving)
Public transport total$7,834
School score5.7/10
Flood & fire riskIn report

Annual cost breakdown

CategoryDeeragunMount LowDifference
Council rates$1,343$1,343-
Water & sewerage$2,099$2,099-
Commute (driving)$4,244$4,366-$122
Commute (public transport)$192$192-
Home insurance$4,200$4,200-
Body corporate (unit)$2,200$2,000+$200
Total (driving)$11,886$12,008-$122
Total (public transport)$7,834$7,834-

Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).

Estimated electricity cost typical 2-person household
DwellingDeeragunMount LowDifference
House$2,218$2,218-
Unit$1,773$1,773-

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 — Deeragun vs Mount Low (2026-27)

What the numbers show

Deeragun and Mount Low cost within $122 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,398, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.

The biggest single gap is commute costs at $122 per year. Mount Low is 16.2 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.

On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,834 and $7,834 a year, so the $122 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.

10-year cumulative cost projection

YearDeeragun cumulativeMount Low cumulativeDifference
Year 1$11,886$12,008$122
Year 3$36,738$37,116$378
Year 5$63,104$63,752$648
Year 10$136,260$137,658$1,398

Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.

Frequently asked questions

  1. Is Deeragun or Mount Low cheaper to live in?

    Deeragun is cheaper to run by car at $11,886 per year versus $12,008 for Mount Low, a difference of $122 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.

  2. What are council rates in Deeragun and Mount Low?

    Annual council rates for a house are $1,343 in Deeragun (Townsville City Council) and $1,343 in Mount Low (Townsville City Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,099 in Deeragun and $2,099 in Mount Low. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.

  3. How does the commute cost compare between Deeragun and Mount Low?

    Annual driving commute costs are $4,244 from Deeragun and $4,366 from Mount Low to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Deeragun and $192 from Mount Low.

  4. What is the 10-year cost difference between Deeragun and Mount Low?

    At 3% annual cost growth, Deeragun costs a cumulative $136,260 and Mount Low costs $137,658 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,398 in favour of Deeragun. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.

Which of Deeragun and Mount Low 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.

Free · no spam · built from official council, ATO & ACARA data

Related comparisons

Sources: Townsville City Council and Townsville 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.