Garbutt vs Mount St John, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/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 Townsville CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Garbutt runs $765 a year cheaper than Mount St John, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $8,770.
Over 10 years, Garbutt costs about $8,800 less to run than Mount St John. That's about $17 a week.
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 →Garbutt
Mount St John
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Garbutt | Mount St John | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,343 | $1,343 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,099 | $2,099 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,729 | $2,544 | -$815 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $3,900 | $3,850 | +$50 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,400 | $2,000 | +$400 |
| Total (driving) | $9,071 | $9,836 | -$765 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,534 | $7,484 | +$50 |
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 | Garbutt | Mount St John | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,373 | $2,373 | - |
| Unit | $1,945 | $1,945 | - |
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, Garbutt vs Mount St John (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Garbutt costs $765 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $8,770 in favour of Garbutt.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $815 per year. Mount St John is 8.1 km from Townsville CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,534 and $7,484 a year, so the $765 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,343 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $2,099 a year.
- Driving commute favours Garbutt by $815 a year, $1,729 against $2,544.
- Building insurance favours Mount St John by $50 a year, $3,850 against $3,900.
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 | Garbutt cumulative | Mount St John cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,071 | $9,836 | $765 |
| Year 3 | $28,038 | $30,402 | $2,364 |
| Year 5 | $48,159 | $52,221 | $4,062 |
| Year 10 | $103,989 | $112,759 | $8,770 |
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 $9,071 per year versus $9,836 for Mount St John, a difference of $765 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/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 $1,729 from Garbutt and $2,544 from Mount St John to Townsville CBD (ATO 91c/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 $103,989 and Mount St John costs $112,759 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $8,770 in favour of Garbutt. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Garbutt and Mount St John suits you better?
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.
Related comparisons
Sources: Townsville City Council and Townsville City 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.