Gulliver vs Mundingburra: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Gulliver and Mundingburra are both Townsville City Council suburbs, sitting 5.2 km and 5.3 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Mundingburra runs $571 a year cheaper than Gulliver, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,545.
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 →Gulliver
Mundingburra
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Gulliver | Mundingburra | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,343 | $1,343 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,099 | $2,099 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $1,643 | $1,672 | -$29 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $4,800 | $4,200 | +$600 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,200 | $2,200 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,885 | $9,314 | +$571 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,434 | $7,834 | +$600 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Gulliver | Mundingburra | 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 — Gulliver vs Mundingburra (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Mundingburra costs $571 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $6,545 in favour of Mundingburra.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $600 per year.
On public transport the gap is $600 per year, $8,434 from Gulliver versus $7,834 from Mundingburra.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Gulliver cumulative | Mundingburra cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,885 | $9,314 | $571 |
| Year 3 | $30,554 | $28,789 | $1,765 |
| Year 5 | $52,481 | $49,449 | $3,032 |
| Year 10 | $113,320 | $106,775 | $6,545 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Gulliver or Mundingburra cheaper to live in?
Mundingburra is cheaper to run by car at $9,314 per year versus $9,885 for Gulliver, a difference of $571 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Gulliver and Mundingburra?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,343 in Gulliver (Townsville City Council) and $1,343 in Mundingburra (Townsville City Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,099 in Gulliver and $2,099 in Mundingburra. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Gulliver and Mundingburra?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,643 from Gulliver and $1,672 from Mundingburra to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Gulliver and $192 from Mundingburra.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Gulliver and Mundingburra?
At 3% annual cost growth, Gulliver costs a cumulative $113,320 and Mundingburra costs $106,775 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,545 in favour of Mundingburra. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Gulliver and Mundingburra 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.
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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.