Hermit Park vs Mysterton, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Hermit Park and Mysterton are both Townsville City Council suburbs, sitting 3 km and 4 km from Townsville CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Hermit Park runs $319 a year cheaper than Mysterton, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,657.
Over 10 years, Hermit Park costs about $3,700 less to run than Mysterton. That's about $7 a week.
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Mysterton
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Hermit Park | Mysterton | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,343 | $1,343 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,099 | $2,099 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,009 | $1,328 | -$319 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $3,600 | $3,600 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $3,200 | $2,000 | +$1,200 |
| Total (driving) | $8,051 | $8,370 | -$319 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,234 | $7,234 | - |
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 | Hermit Park | Mysterton | 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, Hermit Park vs Mysterton (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Hermit Park costs $319 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,657 in favour of Hermit Park.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $319 per year. Mysterton is 4 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 $7,234 a year, so the $319 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 Hermit Park by $319 a year, $1,009 against $1,328.
- Building insurance is identical at $3,600 a year.
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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Hermit Park cumulative | Mysterton cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,051 | $8,370 | $319 |
| Year 3 | $24,885 | $25,871 | $986 |
| Year 5 | $42,744 | $44,437 | $1,693 |
| Year 10 | $92,296 | $95,953 | $3,657 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hermit Park or Mysterton cheaper to live in?
Hermit Park is cheaper to run by car at $8,051 per year versus $8,370 for Mysterton, a difference of $319 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Hermit Park and Mysterton?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,343 in Hermit Park (Townsville City Council) and $1,343 in Mysterton (Townsville City Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,099 in Hermit Park and $2,099 in Mysterton. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Hermit Park and Mysterton?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,009 from Hermit Park and $1,328 from Mysterton to Townsville CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Hermit Park and $192 from Mysterton.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Hermit Park and Mysterton?
At 3% annual cost growth, Hermit Park costs a cumulative $92,296 and Mysterton costs $95,953 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,657 in favour of Hermit Park. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Hermit Park and Mysterton 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.