Frenches Creek vs Mount French, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Frenches Creek and Mount French are both Scenic Rim Regional Council suburbs, sitting 35.2 km and 35.8 km from Beaudesert CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $26 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.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict → Personalise this comparison with your own commute, home type and loan →Frenches Creek
Mount French
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Frenches Creek | Mount French | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,376 | $1,376 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,888 | $6,912 | -$24 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,888 | $6,912 | -$24 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,350 | $2,300 | +$50 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,400 | $1,400 | - |
| Total (driving) | $12,514 | $12,488 | +$26 |
| Total (public transport) | $12,514 | $12,488 | +$26 |
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 | Frenches Creek | Mount French | 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, Frenches Creek vs Mount French (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Frenches Creek and Mount French cost within $26 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $298, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $50 per year.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $12,514 and $12,488 a year, so the $26 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,376 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,900 a year.
- Driving commute favours Frenches Creek by $24 a year, $6,888 against $6,912.
- Building insurance favours Mount French by $50 a year, $2,300 against $2,350.
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 | Frenches Creek cumulative | Mount French cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,514 | $12,488 | $26 |
| Year 3 | $38,680 | $38,599 | $81 |
| Year 5 | $66,439 | $66,300 | $139 |
| Year 10 | $143,459 | $143,161 | $298 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Frenches Creek or Mount French cheaper to live in?
Mount French is cheaper to run by car at $12,488 per year versus $12,514 for Frenches Creek, a difference of $26 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Frenches Creek and Mount French?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,376 in Frenches Creek (Scenic Rim Regional Council) and $1,376 in Mount French (Scenic Rim Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Frenches Creek and $1,900 in Mount French. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Frenches Creek and Mount French?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,888 from Frenches Creek and $6,912 from Mount French to Beaudesert CBD (ATO 91c/km). No daily public transport commute is assumed from either suburb, so both are costed by car.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Frenches Creek and Mount French?
At 3% annual cost growth, Frenches Creek costs a cumulative $143,459 and Mount French costs $143,161 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $298 in favour of Mount French. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Frenches Creek and Mount French suits you better?
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Sources: Scenic Rim Regional Council and Scenic Rim 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.