Highvale vs Wights Mountain, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Highvale and Wights Mountain are both Moreton Bay Regional Council suburbs, sitting 23.7 km and 19.6 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Wights Mountain runs $957 a year cheaper than Highvale, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $10,971.
Over 10 years, Wights Mountain costs about $11,000 less to run than Highvale. That's about $21 a week.
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Wights Mountain
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Highvale | Wights Mountain | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,309 | $1,309 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,144 | $2,144 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $5,828 | $5,171 | +$657 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,400 | $2,100 | +$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,800 | $1,900 | -$100 |
| Total (driving) | $11,681 | $10,724 | +$957 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,045 | $5,745 | +$300 |
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 | Highvale | Wights Mountain | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,135 | $2,135 | - |
| Unit | $1,776 | $1,776 | - |
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, Highvale vs Wights Mountain (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Wights Mountain costs $957 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $10,971 in favour of Wights Mountain.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $657 per year. Highvale is 23.7 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $6,045 from Highvale versus $5,745 from Wights Mountain.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,309 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $2,144 a year.
- Driving commute favours Wights Mountain by $657 a year, $5,171 against $5,828.
- Building insurance favours Wights Mountain by $300 a year, $2,100 against $2,400.
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 8.5 in Wights Mountain against 7.1 in Highvale, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Highvale cumulative | Wights Mountain cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,681 | $10,724 | $957 |
| Year 3 | $36,105 | $33,147 | $2,958 |
| Year 5 | $62,016 | $56,935 | $5,081 |
| Year 10 | $133,910 | $122,939 | $10,971 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Highvale or Wights Mountain cheaper to live in?
Wights Mountain is cheaper to run by car at $10,724 per year versus $11,681 for Highvale, a difference of $957 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Highvale and Wights Mountain?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,309 in Highvale (Moreton Bay Regional Council) and $1,309 in Wights Mountain (Moreton Bay Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,144 in Highvale and $2,144 in Wights Mountain. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Highvale and Wights Mountain?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,828 from Highvale and $5,171 from Wights Mountain to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Highvale and $192 from Wights Mountain.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Highvale and Wights Mountain?
At 3% annual cost growth, Highvale costs a cumulative $133,910 and Wights Mountain costs $122,939 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $10,971 in favour of Wights Mountain. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Highvale and Wights Mountain suits you better?
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Sources: Moreton Bay Regional Council and Moreton Bay Regional 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.