Jensen vs Mount Low, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Jensen and Mount Low are both Townsville City Council suburbs, sitting 18.4 km and 16.2 km from Townsville CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Mount Low runs $436 a year cheaper than Jensen, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,998.
Over 10 years, Mount Low costs about $5,000 less to run than Jensen. That's about $10 a week.
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Mount Low
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Jensen | Mount Low | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,343 | $1,343 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,099 | $2,099 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $4,951 | $4,515 | +$436 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $3,600 | $3,600 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,200 | $2,000 | +$200 |
| Total (driving) | $11,993 | $11,557 | +$436 |
| 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 | Jensen | Mount Low | 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, Jensen vs Mount Low (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Mount Low costs $436 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,998 in favour of Mount Low.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $436 per year. Jensen is 18.4 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 $436 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 Mount Low by $436 a year, $4,515 against $4,951.
- 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.
The catchment state school scores 5.7 in Mount Low against 3.3 in Jensen, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Jensen cumulative | Mount Low cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,993 | $11,557 | $436 |
| Year 3 | $37,069 | $35,722 | $1,347 |
| Year 5 | $63,672 | $61,358 | $2,314 |
| Year 10 | $137,486 | $132,488 | $4,998 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Jensen or Mount Low cheaper to live in?
Mount Low is cheaper to run by car at $11,557 per year versus $11,993 for Jensen, a difference of $436 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Jensen and Mount Low?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,343 in Jensen (Townsville City Council) and $1,343 in Mount Low (Townsville City Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,099 in Jensen and $2,099 in Mount Low. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Jensen and Mount Low?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,951 from Jensen and $4,515 from Mount Low to Townsville CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Jensen and $192 from Mount Low.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Jensen and Mount Low?
At 3% annual cost growth, Jensen costs a cumulative $137,486 and Mount Low costs $132,488 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,998 in favour of Mount Low. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Jensen and Mount Low 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.