Heatley vs Mount Louisa: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Heatley and Mount Louisa are both Townsville City Council suburbs, sitting 7.5 km and 9 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Heatley runs $602 a year cheaper than Mount Louisa, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,902.
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 →Heatley
Mount Louisa
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Heatley | Mount Louisa | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,343 | $1,343 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,099 | $2,099 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,297 | $2,699 | -$402 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $4,200 | $4,400 | -$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,000 | $2,000 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,939 | $10,541 | -$602 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,834 | $8,034 | -$200 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Heatley | Mount Louisa | 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 — Heatley vs Mount Louisa (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Heatley costs $602 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $6,902 in favour of Heatley.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $402 per year. Mount Louisa is 9 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the gap is $200 per year, $7,834 from Heatley versus $8,034 from Mount Louisa.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Heatley cumulative | Mount Louisa cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,939 | $10,541 | $602 |
| Year 3 | $30,720 | $32,581 | $1,861 |
| Year 5 | $52,768 | $55,964 | $3,196 |
| Year 10 | $113,939 | $120,841 | $6,902 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Heatley or Mount Louisa cheaper to live in?
Heatley is cheaper to run by car at $9,939 per year versus $10,541 for Mount Louisa, a difference of $602 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Heatley and Mount Louisa?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,343 in Heatley (Townsville City Council) and $1,343 in Mount Louisa (Townsville City Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,099 in Heatley and $2,099 in Mount Louisa. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Heatley and Mount Louisa?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,297 from Heatley and $2,699 from Mount Louisa to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Heatley and $192 from Mount Louisa.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Heatley and Mount Louisa?
At 3% annual cost growth, Heatley costs a cumulative $113,939 and Mount Louisa costs $120,841 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,902 in favour of Heatley. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Heatley and Mount Louisa 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.