Heatley vs Mount Louisa, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Heatley and Mount Louisa are both Townsville City Council suburbs, sitting 7.5 km and 9 km from Townsville CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Heatley runs $566 a year cheaper than Mount Louisa, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,489.
Over 10 years, Heatley costs about $6,500 less to run than Mount Louisa. That's about $12 a week.
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Mount Louisa
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Heatley | Mount Louisa | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,343 | $1,343 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,099 | $2,099 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,375 | $2,791 | -$416 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $3,600 | $3,750 | -$150 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,000 | $2,000 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,417 | $9,983 | -$566 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,234 | $7,384 | -$150 |
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 | Heatley | Mount Louisa | 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, Heatley vs Mount Louisa (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Heatley costs $566 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $6,489 in favour of Heatley.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $416 per year. Mount Louisa is 9 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, $7,234 and $7,384 a year, so the $566 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 Heatley by $416 a year, $2,375 against $2,791.
- Building insurance favours Heatley by $150 a year, $3,600 against $3,750.
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.
The catchment state school scores 4.2 in Mount Louisa against 1.9 in Heatley, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Heatley cumulative | Mount Louisa cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,417 | $9,983 | $566 |
| Year 3 | $29,107 | $30,856 | $1,749 |
| Year 5 | $49,996 | $53,001 | $3,005 |
| Year 10 | $107,955 | $114,444 | $6,489 |
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 $9,417 per year versus $9,983 for Mount Louisa, a difference of $566 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/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 $2,375 from Heatley and $2,791 from Mount Louisa to Townsville CBD (ATO 91c/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 $107,955 and Mount Louisa costs $114,444 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,489 in favour of Heatley. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Heatley and Mount Louisa suits you better?
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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 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.