Hampton vs Mount Luke: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Hampton and Mount Luke are both Toowoomba Regional Council suburbs, sitting 24.1 km and 20.9 km from Toowoomba CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Mount Luke runs $990 a year cheaper than Hampton, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $11,349.
Over 10 years, Mount Luke costs about $11,300 less to run than Hampton — the same as paying $11,300 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Mount Luke
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Hampton | Mount Luke | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,444 | $1,444 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,188 | $2,188 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,885 | $5,395 | +$490 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,600 | $2,100 | +$500 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,600 | $1,800 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $12,117 | $11,127 | +$990 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,424 | $5,924 | +$500 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Hampton | Mount Luke | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,274 | $2,274 | - |
| Unit | $1,870 | $1,870 | - |
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 — Hampton vs Mount Luke (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Mount Luke costs $990 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $11,349 in favour of Mount Luke.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $500 per year.
On public transport the gap is $500 per year, $6,424 from Hampton versus $5,924 from Mount Luke.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,444 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $2,188 a year.
- Driving commute favours Mount Luke by $490 a year, $5,395 against $5,885.
- Building insurance favours Mount Luke by $500 a year, $2,100 against $2,600.
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 | Hampton cumulative | Mount Luke cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,117 | $11,127 | $990 |
| Year 3 | $37,452 | $34,392 | $3,060 |
| Year 5 | $64,331 | $59,075 | $5,256 |
| Year 10 | $138,908 | $127,559 | $11,349 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hampton or Mount Luke cheaper to live in?
Mount Luke is cheaper to run by car at $11,127 per year versus $12,117 for Hampton, a difference of $990 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Hampton and Mount Luke?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,444 in Hampton (Toowoomba Regional Council) and $1,444 in Mount Luke (Toowoomba Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,188 in Hampton and $2,188 in Mount Luke. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Hampton and Mount Luke?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,885 from Hampton and $5,395 from Mount Luke to Toowoomba CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Hampton and $192 from Mount Luke.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Hampton and Mount Luke?
At 3% annual cost growth, Hampton costs a cumulative $138,908 and Mount Luke costs $127,559 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $11,349 in favour of Mount Luke. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Hampton and Mount Luke is best to actually live in?
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Sources: Toowoomba Regional Council and Toowoomba Regional Council rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.