Kenmore Hills vs Mount Coot-tha, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Kenmore Hills and Mount Coot-tha are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 10 km and 7.6 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Mount Coot-tha runs $655 a year cheaper than Kenmore Hills, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $7,509.
Over 10 years, Mount Coot-tha costs about $7,500 less to run than Kenmore Hills. That's about $14 a week.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict → Personalise this comparison with your own commute, home type and loan → Neither quite right? Find the Brisbane suburbs that fit your budget →Kenmore Hills
Mount Coot-tha
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Kenmore Hills | Mount Coot-tha | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $950 | $950 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $3,058 | $2,403 | +$655 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,150 | $2,150 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,700 | $3,200 | -$500 |
| Total (driving) | $8,058 | $7,403 | +$655 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,192 | $5,192 | - |
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 | Kenmore Hills | Mount Coot-tha | 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, Kenmore Hills vs Mount Coot-tha (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Mount Coot-tha costs $655 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $7,509 in favour of Mount Coot-tha.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $655 per year. Kenmore Hills is 10 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $5,192 and $5,192 a year, so the $655 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $950 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,900 a year.
- Driving commute favours Mount Coot-tha by $655 a year, $2,403 against $3,058.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,150 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.
Flood risk is rated medium in Kenmore Hills against low in Mount Coot-tha, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Kenmore Hills cumulative | Mount Coot-tha cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,058 | $7,403 | $655 |
| Year 3 | $24,906 | $22,882 | $2,024 |
| Year 5 | $42,781 | $39,304 | $3,477 |
| Year 10 | $92,376 | $84,867 | $7,509 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kenmore Hills or Mount Coot-tha cheaper to live in?
Mount Coot-tha is cheaper to run by car at $7,403 per year versus $8,058 for Kenmore Hills, a difference of $655 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Kenmore Hills and Mount Coot-tha?
Annual council rates for a house are $950 in Kenmore Hills (Brisbane City Council) and $950 in Mount Coot-tha (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Kenmore Hills and $1,900 in Mount Coot-tha. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Kenmore Hills and Mount Coot-tha?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,058 from Kenmore Hills and $2,403 from Mount Coot-tha to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Kenmore Hills and $192 from Mount Coot-tha.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Kenmore Hills and Mount Coot-tha?
At 3% annual cost growth, Kenmore Hills costs a cumulative $92,376 and Mount Coot-tha costs $84,867 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $7,509 in favour of Mount Coot-tha. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Kenmore Hills and Mount Coot-tha suits you better?
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: Brisbane City Council and Brisbane 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.