Mango Hill vs Rothwell, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Mango Hill and Rothwell are both Moreton Bay Regional Council suburbs, sitting 25.5 km and 28.9 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $231 a year of each other to run, so running cost is a minor factor here. The decision comes down to schools, risk and lifestyle, all in the free report.
Over 10 years the gap between these two is about $2,600, about $5 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Rothwell
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Mango Hill | Rothwell | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,309 | $1,309 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,144 | $2,144 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,070 | $6,451 | -$381 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,300 | $2,150 | +$150 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,800 | $2,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,823 | $12,054 | -$231 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,945 | $5,795 | +$150 |
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 | Mango Hill | Rothwell | 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, Mango Hill vs Rothwell (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Mango Hill and Rothwell differ by $231 a year by car, but $150 of that is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On the sourced costs, council rates, water and the commute, the gap is $381, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $381 per year. Rothwell is 28.9 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, $5,945 and $5,795 a year, so the $231 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
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 Mango Hill by $381 a year, $6,070 against $6,451.
- Building insurance favours Rothwell by $150 a year, $2,150 against $2,300.
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.
Flood risk is rated medium in Mango Hill against low in Rothwell, which feeds the insurance estimate. The catchment state school scores 7.6 in Mango Hill against 4.8 in Rothwell, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Mango Hill cumulative | Rothwell cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,823 | $12,054 | $231 |
| Year 3 | $36,544 | $37,258 | $714 |
| Year 5 | $62,770 | $63,996 | $1,226 |
| Year 10 | $135,537 | $138,186 | $2,649 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mango Hill or Rothwell cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Mango Hill runs $11,823 a year by car and Rothwell $12,054, but most of the $231 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $381. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Mango Hill and Rothwell?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,309 in Mango Hill (Moreton Bay Regional Council) and $1,309 in Rothwell (Moreton Bay Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,144 in Mango Hill and $2,144 in Rothwell. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Mango Hill and Rothwell?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,070 from Mango Hill and $6,451 from Rothwell to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Mango Hill and $192 from Rothwell.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Mango Hill and Rothwell?
At 3% annual cost growth, Mango Hill costs a cumulative $135,537 and Rothwell costs $138,186 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,649 in favour of Mango Hill. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Mango Hill and Rothwell 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.