Mansfield vs Mount Gravatt East: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Mansfield and Mount Gravatt East are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 10.7 km and 9.1 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Mount Gravatt East runs $421 a year cheaper than Mansfield, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,826.
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 →Mansfield
Mount Gravatt East
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Mansfield | Mount Gravatt East | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $950 | $950 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,239 | $2,818 | +$421 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,800 | $2,800 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,800 | $2,700 | +$100 |
| Total (driving) | $8,889 | $8,468 | +$421 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,842 | $5,842 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Mansfield | Mount Gravatt East | 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 — Mansfield vs Mount Gravatt East (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Mount Gravatt East costs $421 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,826 in favour of Mount Gravatt East.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $421 per year. Mansfield is 10.7 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, $5,842 and $5,842 a year, so the $421 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 Gravatt East by $421 a year, $2,818 against $3,239.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,800 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 8.9 in Mansfield against 6 in Mount Gravatt East, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Mansfield cumulative | Mount Gravatt East cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,889 | $8,468 | $421 |
| Year 3 | $27,475 | $26,174 | $1,301 |
| Year 5 | $47,193 | $44,958 | $2,235 |
| Year 10 | $101,902 | $97,076 | $4,826 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mansfield or Mount Gravatt East cheaper to live in?
Mount Gravatt East is cheaper to run by car at $8,468 per year versus $8,889 for Mansfield, a difference of $421 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Mansfield and Mount Gravatt East?
Annual council rates for a house are $950 in Mansfield (Brisbane City Council) and $950 in Mount Gravatt East (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Mansfield and $1,900 in Mount Gravatt East. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Mansfield and Mount Gravatt East?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,239 from Mansfield and $2,818 from Mount Gravatt East to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Mansfield and $192 from Mount Gravatt East.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Mansfield and Mount Gravatt East?
At 3% annual cost growth, Mansfield costs a cumulative $101,902 and Mount Gravatt East costs $97,076 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,826 in favour of Mount Gravatt East. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Mansfield and Mount Gravatt East 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: 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 AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.