Jollys Lookout vs Wights Mountain: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Jollys Lookout and Wights Mountain are both Moreton Bay Regional Council suburbs, sitting 19.9 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 $401 a year cheaper than Jollys Lookout, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,597.
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 →Jollys Lookout
Wights Mountain
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Jollys Lookout | Wights Mountain | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,636 | $1,636 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,144 | $2,144 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,052 | $5,001 | +$51 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,300 | $2,950 | +$350 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,900 | -$400 |
| Total (driving) | $12,132 | $11,731 | +$401 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,272 | $6,922 | +$350 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Jollys Lookout | Wights Mountain | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $1,976 | $1,976 | - |
| Unit | $1,591 | $1,591 | - |
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 — Jollys Lookout vs Wights Mountain (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Wights Mountain costs $401 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,597 in favour of Wights Mountain.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $350 per year.
On public transport the gap is $350 per year, $7,272 from Jollys Lookout versus $6,922 from Wights Mountain.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Jollys Lookout cumulative | Wights Mountain cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,132 | $11,731 | $401 |
| Year 3 | $37,499 | $36,259 | $1,240 |
| Year 5 | $64,410 | $62,281 | $2,129 |
| Year 10 | $139,080 | $134,483 | $4,597 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Jollys Lookout or Wights Mountain cheaper to live in?
Wights Mountain is cheaper to run by car at $11,731 per year versus $12,132 for Jollys Lookout, a difference of $401 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Jollys Lookout and Wights Mountain?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,636 in Jollys Lookout (Moreton Bay Regional Council) and $1,636 in Wights Mountain (Moreton Bay Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,144 in Jollys Lookout 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 Jollys Lookout and Wights Mountain?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,052 from Jollys Lookout and $5,001 from Wights Mountain to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Jollys Lookout and $192 from Wights Mountain.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Jollys Lookout and Wights Mountain?
At 3% annual cost growth, Jollys Lookout costs a cumulative $139,080 and Wights Mountain costs $134,483 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,597 in favour of Wights Mountain. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Jollys Lookout and Wights Mountain 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: 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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.