Edmonton vs Mount Sheridan: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Edmonton and Mount Sheridan are both Cairns Regional Council suburbs, sitting 11.7 km and 9.2 km from Cairns CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $45 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. 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 →Edmonton
Mount Sheridan
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Edmonton | Mount Sheridan | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,166 | $1,166 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,765 | $1,765 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,490 | $2,845 | +$645 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $6,200 | $6,800 | -$600 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,000 | $2,200 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $12,621 | $12,576 | +$45 |
| Total (public transport) | $9,323 | $9,923 | -$600 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Edmonton | Mount Sheridan | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,373 | $2,373 | - |
| Unit | $1,945 | $1,945 | - |
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 — Edmonton vs Mount Sheridan (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Edmonton and Mount Sheridan cost within $45 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $516, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $645 per year. Edmonton is 11.7 km from Cairns CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $600 per year, $9,323 from Edmonton versus $9,923 from Mount Sheridan.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,166 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,765 a year.
- Driving commute favours Mount Sheridan by $645 a year, $2,845 against $3,490.
- Building insurance favours Edmonton by $600 a year, $6,200 against $6,800.
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 | Edmonton cumulative | Mount Sheridan cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,621 | $12,576 | $45 |
| Year 3 | $39,010 | $38,871 | $139 |
| Year 5 | $67,007 | $66,768 | $239 |
| Year 10 | $144,686 | $144,170 | $516 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Edmonton or Mount Sheridan cheaper to live in?
Mount Sheridan is cheaper to run by car at $12,576 per year versus $12,621 for Edmonton, a difference of $45 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Edmonton and Mount Sheridan?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,166 in Edmonton (Cairns Regional Council) and $1,166 in Mount Sheridan (Cairns Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,765 in Edmonton and $1,765 in Mount Sheridan. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Edmonton and Mount Sheridan?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,490 from Edmonton and $2,845 from Mount Sheridan to Cairns CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Edmonton and $192 from Mount Sheridan.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Edmonton and Mount Sheridan?
At 3% annual cost growth, Edmonton costs a cumulative $144,686 and Mount Sheridan costs $144,170 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $516 in favour of Mount Sheridan. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Edmonton and Mount Sheridan 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.
Related comparisons
Sources: Cairns Regional Council and Cairns 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.