Garbutt vs Mount St John: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Garbutt and Mount St John are both Townsville City Council suburbs, sitting 5.3 km and 8.1 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Garbutt runs $688 a year cheaper than Mount St John, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $7,887.
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 →Garbutt
Mount St John
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Garbutt | Mount St John | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,343 | $1,343 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,099 | $2,099 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $1,672 | $2,460 | -$788 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $4,600 | $4,500 | +$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,400 | $2,000 | +$400 |
| Total (driving) | $9,714 | $10,402 | -$688 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,234 | $8,134 | +$100 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Garbutt | Mount St John | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,218 | $2,218 | - |
| Unit | $1,773 | $1,773 | - |
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 — Garbutt vs Mount St John (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Garbutt costs $688 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $7,887 in favour of Garbutt.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $788 per year. Mount St John is 8.1 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, $8,234 and $8,134 a year, so the $688 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Garbutt cumulative | Mount St John cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,714 | $10,402 | $688 |
| Year 3 | $30,025 | $32,152 | $2,127 |
| Year 5 | $51,573 | $55,226 | $3,653 |
| Year 10 | $111,360 | $119,247 | $7,887 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Garbutt or Mount St John cheaper to live in?
Garbutt is cheaper to run by car at $9,714 per year versus $10,402 for Mount St John, a difference of $688 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Garbutt and Mount St John?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,343 in Garbutt (Townsville City Council) and $1,343 in Mount St John (Townsville City Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,099 in Garbutt and $2,099 in Mount St John. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Garbutt and Mount St John?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,672 from Garbutt and $2,460 from Mount St John to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Garbutt and $192 from Mount St John.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Garbutt and Mount St John?
At 3% annual cost growth, Garbutt costs a cumulative $111,360 and Mount St John costs $119,247 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $7,887 in favour of Garbutt. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Garbutt and Mount St John 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: Townsville City Council and Townsville 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.