Everton Hills vs McDowall: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Everton Hills (Moreton Bay Regional Council) and McDowall (Brisbane City Council) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Brisbane CBD (10.4 km and 10.3 km).
McDowall runs $327 a year cheaper than Everton Hills, driven mostly by water. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,748.
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 →Everton Hills
McDowall
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Everton Hills | McDowall | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,636 | $1,579 | +$57 |
| Water & sewerage | $2,144 | $1,900 | +$244 |
| Commute (driving) | $3,058 | $3,032 | +$26 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,900 | $2,900 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,500 | $2,800 | -$300 |
| Total (driving) | $9,738 | $9,411 | +$327 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,872 | $6,571 | +$301 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Everton Hills | McDowall | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $1,976 | $1,976 | - |
| Unit | $1,591 | $1,591 | - |
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 — Everton Hills vs McDowall (2026-27)
What the numbers show
McDowall costs $327 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,748 in favour of McDowall.
The biggest single gap is water and sewerage at $244 per year.
On public transport the gap is $301 per year, $6,872 from Everton Hills versus $6,571 from McDowall.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Everton Hills cumulative | McDowall cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,738 | $9,411 | $327 |
| Year 3 | $30,099 | $29,088 | $1,011 |
| Year 5 | $51,700 | $49,964 | $1,736 |
| Year 10 | $111,635 | $107,887 | $3,748 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Everton Hills or McDowall cheaper to live in?
McDowall is cheaper to run by car at $9,411 per year versus $9,738 for Everton Hills, a difference of $327 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Everton Hills and McDowall?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,636 in Everton Hills (Moreton Bay Regional Council) and $1,579 in McDowall (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,144 in Everton Hills and $1,900 in McDowall. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Everton Hills and McDowall?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,058 from Everton Hills and $3,032 from McDowall to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Everton Hills and $192 from McDowall.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Everton Hills and McDowall?
At 3% annual cost growth, Everton Hills costs a cumulative $111,635 and McDowall costs $107,887 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,748 in favour of McDowall. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Everton Hills and McDowall 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: Moreton Bay Regional Council and Brisbane 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.