Ellinjaa vs Mungalli: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Ellinjaa and Mungalli are both Cairns Regional Council suburbs, sitting 66.6 km and 70.4 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Mungalli runs $496 a year cheaper than Ellinjaa, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,686.
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 →Ellinjaa
Mungalli
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Ellinjaa | Mungalli | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,165 | $1,165 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,765 | $1,765 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,770 | $2,974 | +$796 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $6,500 | $6,800 | -$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,400 | $1,500 | -$100 |
| Total (driving) | $13,200 | $12,704 | +$496 |
| Total (public transport) | $9,622 | $9,922 | -$300 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Ellinjaa | Mungalli | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 — Ellinjaa vs Mungalli (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Mungalli costs $496 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,686 in favour of Mungalli.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $796 per year. Mungalli is 70.4 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $9,622 from Ellinjaa versus $9,922 from Mungalli.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Ellinjaa cumulative | Mungalli cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $13,200 | $12,704 | $496 |
| Year 3 | $40,800 | $39,267 | $1,533 |
| Year 5 | $70,081 | $67,447 | $2,634 |
| Year 10 | $151,323 | $145,637 | $5,686 |
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 $12,704 per year versus $13,200 for Ellinjaa, a difference of $496 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Ellinjaa and Mungalli?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,165 in Ellinjaa (Cairns Regional Council) and $1,165 in Mungalli (Cairns 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 $3,770 from Ellinjaa and $2,974 from Mungalli to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Ellinjaa and $192 from Mungalli.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Ellinjaa and Mungalli?
At 3% annual cost growth, Ellinjaa costs a cumulative $151,323 and Mungalli costs $145,637 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,686 in favour of Mungalli. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Ellinjaa and Mungalli 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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.