Finnie vs Mount Rascal, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Finnie and Mount Rascal are both Toowoomba Regional Council suburbs, sitting 9.4 km and 9.1 km from Toowoomba CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $19 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.
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Mount Rascal
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Finnie | Mount Rascal | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,444 | $1,444 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,188 | $2,188 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,899 | $2,818 | +$81 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,450 | $1,550 | -$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $7,981 | $8,000 | -$19 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,274 | $5,374 | -$100 |
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 | Finnie | Mount Rascal | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,274 | $2,274 | - |
| Unit | $1,870 | $1,870 | - |
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, Finnie vs Mount Rascal (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Finnie and Mount Rascal cost within $19 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $218, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $100 per year.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $5,274 and $5,374 a year, so the $19 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,444 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $2,188 a year.
- Driving commute favours Mount Rascal by $81 a year, $2,818 against $2,899.
- Building insurance favours Finnie by $100 a year, $1,450 against $1,550.
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.
The catchment state school scores 5.8 in Mount Rascal against 4.2 in Finnie, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Finnie cumulative | Mount Rascal cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,981 | $8,000 | $19 |
| Year 3 | $24,668 | $24,727 | $59 |
| Year 5 | $42,372 | $42,473 | $101 |
| Year 10 | $91,493 | $91,711 | $218 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Finnie or Mount Rascal cheaper to live in?
Finnie is cheaper to run by car at $7,981 per year versus $8,000 for Mount Rascal, a difference of $19 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Finnie and Mount Rascal?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,444 in Finnie (Toowoomba Regional Council) and $1,444 in Mount Rascal (Toowoomba Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,188 in Finnie and $2,188 in Mount Rascal. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Finnie and Mount Rascal?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,899 from Finnie and $2,818 from Mount Rascal to Toowoomba CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Finnie and $192 from Mount Rascal.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Finnie and Mount Rascal?
At 3% annual cost growth, Finnie costs a cumulative $91,493 and Mount Rascal costs $91,711 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $218 in favour of Finnie. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Finnie and Mount Rascal suits you better?
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Sources: Toowoomba Regional Council and Toowoomba 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.