Flaxton vs Montville, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Flaxton and Montville are both Sunshine Coast Council suburbs, sitting 22.6 km and 21 km from Maroochydore CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Montville runs $355 a year cheaper than Flaxton, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,069.
Over 10 years, Montville costs about $4,100 less to run than Flaxton. That's about $8 a week.
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Montville
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Flaxton | Montville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,771 | $1,771 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,094 | $2,094 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $5,667 | $5,412 | +$255 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,200 | $2,100 | +$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,500 | $1,800 | -$300 |
| Total (driving) | $11,732 | $11,377 | +$355 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,257 | $6,157 | +$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 | Flaxton | Montville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,135 | $2,135 | - |
| Unit | $1,776 | $1,776 | - |
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, Flaxton vs Montville (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Montville costs $355 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,069 in favour of Montville.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $255 per year. Flaxton is 22.6 km from Maroochydore CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $6,257 and $6,157 a year, so the $355 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,771 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $2,094 a year.
- Driving commute favours Montville by $255 a year, $5,412 against $5,667.
- Building insurance favours Montville by $100 a year, $2,100 against $2,200.
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 | Flaxton cumulative | Montville cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,732 | $11,377 | $355 |
| Year 3 | $36,262 | $35,165 | $1,097 |
| Year 5 | $62,287 | $60,402 | $1,885 |
| Year 10 | $134,494 | $130,425 | $4,069 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Flaxton or Montville cheaper to live in?
Montville is cheaper to run by car at $11,377 per year versus $11,732 for Flaxton, a difference of $355 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Flaxton and Montville?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,771 in Flaxton (Sunshine Coast Council) and $1,771 in Montville (Sunshine Coast Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,094 in Flaxton and $2,094 in Montville. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Flaxton and Montville?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,667 from Flaxton and $5,412 from Montville to Maroochydore CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Flaxton and $192 from Montville.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Flaxton and Montville?
At 3% annual cost growth, Flaxton costs a cumulative $134,494 and Montville costs $130,425 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,069 in favour of Montville. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Flaxton and Montville suits you better?
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Sources: Sunshine Coast Council and Sunshine Coast 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.