Kirwan vs Mount Louisa: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Kirwan and Mount Louisa are both Townsville City Council suburbs, sitting 10.7 km and 9 km from Townsville CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Mount Louisa runs $848 a year cheaper than Kirwan, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $9,722.
Over 10 years, Mount Louisa costs about $9,700 less to run than Kirwan — the same as paying $9,700 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Kirwan
Mount Louisa
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Kirwan | Mount Louisa | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,343 | $1,343 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,099 | $2,099 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,239 | $2,791 | +$448 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $4,800 | $4,400 | +$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,200 | $2,000 | +$200 |
| Total (driving) | $11,481 | $10,633 | +$848 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,434 | $8,034 | +$400 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Kirwan | Mount Louisa | 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 — Kirwan vs Mount Louisa (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Mount Louisa costs $848 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $9,722 in favour of Mount Louisa.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $448 per year. Kirwan is 10.7 km from Townsville CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $8,434 from Kirwan versus $8,034 from Mount Louisa.
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 Louisa by $448 a year, $2,791 against $3,239.
- Building insurance favours Mount Louisa by $400 a year, $4,400 against $4,800.
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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Kirwan cumulative | Mount Louisa cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,481 | $10,633 | $848 |
| Year 3 | $35,487 | $32,866 | $2,621 |
| Year 5 | $60,954 | $56,452 | $4,502 |
| Year 10 | $131,617 | $121,895 | $9,722 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kirwan or Mount Louisa cheaper to live in?
Mount Louisa is cheaper to run by car at $10,633 per year versus $11,481 for Kirwan, a difference of $848 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Kirwan and Mount Louisa?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,343 in Kirwan (Townsville City Council) and $1,343 in Mount Louisa (Townsville City Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,099 in Kirwan and $2,099 in Mount Louisa. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Kirwan and Mount Louisa?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,239 from Kirwan and $2,791 from Mount Louisa to Townsville CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Kirwan and $192 from Mount Louisa.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Kirwan and Mount Louisa?
At 3% annual cost growth, Kirwan costs a cumulative $131,617 and Mount Louisa costs $121,895 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $9,722 in favour of Mount Louisa. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Kirwan and Mount Louisa 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.
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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 AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.