Flaxton vs Montville: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Flaxton and Montville are both Sunshine Coast Council suburbs, sitting 22.6 km and 21 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Montville runs $396 a year cheaper than Flaxton, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,539.
Over 10 years these two cost about the same to run. The difference here isn't money — it's location, schools and lifestyle.
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Montville
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Flaxton | Montville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,771 | $1,771 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,094 | $2,094 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,480 | $5,234 | +$246 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,200 | $3,050 | +$150 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,800 | -$300 |
| Total (driving) | $12,545 | $12,149 | +$396 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,257 | $7,107 | +$150 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Flaxton | Montville | 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 — Flaxton vs Montville (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Montville costs $396 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,539 in favour of Montville.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $246 per year. Flaxton is 22.6 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,257 and $7,107 a year, so the $396 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Flaxton cumulative | Montville cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,545 | $12,149 | $396 |
| Year 3 | $38,775 | $37,551 | $1,224 |
| Year 5 | $66,603 | $64,501 | $2,102 |
| Year 10 | $143,814 | $139,275 | $4,539 |
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 $12,149 per year versus $12,545 for Flaxton, a difference of $396 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/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 $5,480 from Flaxton and $5,234 from Montville to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/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 $143,814 and Montville costs $139,275 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,539 in favour of Montville. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Flaxton and Montville 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.
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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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.