Ellinjaa vs Mungalli, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Ellinjaa and Mungalli are both Tablelands Regional Council suburbs, sitting 66.6 km and 70.4 km from Cairns CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Mungalli runs $824 a year cheaper than Ellinjaa, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $9,446.
Over 10 years, Mungalli costs about $9,400 less to run than Ellinjaa. That's about $18 a week.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict → Personalise this comparison with your own commute, home type and loan →Ellinjaa
Mungalli
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Ellinjaa | Mungalli | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,189 | $1,189 | - |
| Water & sewerage Estimated stand-in | $1,765 | $1,765 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $3,899 | $3,075 | +$824 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $3,899 | $3,075 | +$824 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,450 | $2,450 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,400 | $1,500 | -$100 |
| Total (driving) | $9,303 | $8,479 | +$824 |
| Total (public transport) | $9,303 | $8,479 | +$824 |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Ellinjaa's water charge is Cairns Regional Council Water & Sewerage's, standing in until its own council's schedule is loaded. Mungalli's water charge is Cairns Regional Council Water & Sewerage's, standing in until its own council's schedule is loaded. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Ellinjaa | Mungalli | 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, Ellinjaa vs Mungalli (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Mungalli costs $824 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $9,446 in favour of Mungalli.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $824 per year. Mungalli is 70.4 km from Cairns CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $824 per year, $9,303 from Ellinjaa versus $8,479 from Mungalli.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,189 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,765 a year.
- Driving commute favours Mungalli by $824 a year, $3,075 against $3,899.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,450 a year.
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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Ellinjaa cumulative | Mungalli cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,303 | $8,479 | $824 |
| Year 3 | $28,755 | $26,208 | $2,547 |
| Year 5 | $49,391 | $45,016 | $4,375 |
| Year 10 | $106,648 | $97,202 | $9,446 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ellinjaa or Mungalli cheaper to live in?
Mungalli is cheaper to run by car at $8,479 per year versus $9,303 for Ellinjaa, a difference of $824 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Ellinjaa and Mungalli?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,189 in Ellinjaa (Tablelands Regional Council) and $1,189 in Mungalli (Tablelands Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,765 in Ellinjaa and $1,765 in Mungalli. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Ellinjaa and Mungalli?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,899 from Ellinjaa and $3,075 from Mungalli to Cairns CBD (ATO 91c/km). No daily public transport commute is assumed from either suburb, so both are costed by car.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Ellinjaa and Mungalli?
At 3% annual cost growth, Ellinjaa costs a cumulative $106,648 and Mungalli costs $97,202 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $9,446 in favour of Mungalli. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Ellinjaa and Mungalli suits you better?
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: Tablelands Regional Council and Tablelands 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.