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.
Mount Sheridan runs $395 a year cheaper than Edmonton, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,528.
Over 10 years the gap between these two is about $4,500, about $9 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Mount Sheridan
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Edmonton | Mount Sheridan | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,166 | $1,166 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,765 | $1,765 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $3,490 | $2,845 | +$645 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $3,450 | $3,700 | -$250 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,000 | $2,200 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $9,871 | $9,476 | +$395 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,573 | $6,823 | -$250 |
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 | 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 differ by $395 a year by car, but $250 of that is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On the sourced costs, council rates, water and the commute, the gap is $645, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
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 $250 per year, $6,573 from Edmonton versus $6,823 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 $250 a year, $3,450 against $3,700.
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 | $9,871 | $9,476 | $395 |
| Year 3 | $30,510 | $29,289 | $1,221 |
| Year 5 | $52,406 | $50,309 | $2,097 |
| Year 10 | $113,160 | $108,632 | $4,528 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Edmonton or Mount Sheridan cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Edmonton runs $9,871 a year by car and Mount Sheridan $9,476, but most of the $395 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $645. 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 $113,160 and Mount Sheridan costs $108,632 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,528 in favour of Mount Sheridan. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Edmonton and Mount Sheridan suits you better?
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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 insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.