Montecollum vs Mullumbimby Creek: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Montecollum and Mullumbimby Creek are both Byron rates (OLG suburbs, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $50 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 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 →Montecollum
Mullumbimby Creek
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Montecollum | Mullumbimby Creek | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,649 | $1,649 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $18,200 | $18,200 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,400 | $2,450 | -$50 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,549 | $23,599 | -$50 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,749 | $7,799 | -$50 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Montecollum | Mullumbimby Creek | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,774 | $2,774 | - |
| Unit | $2,329 | $2,329 | - |
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 — Montecollum vs Mullumbimby Creek (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Montecollum and Mullumbimby Creek cost within $50 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $573, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $50 per year. Mullumbimby Creek carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,749 and $7,799 a year, so the $50 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,649 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute is identical at $18,200 a year.
- Building insurance favours Montecollum by $50 a year, $2,400 against $2,450.
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 the insurance band.
Flood risk is rated medium in Mullumbimby Creek against low in Montecollum, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated high in Montecollum against medium in Mullumbimby Creek, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Montecollum cumulative | Mullumbimby Creek cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,549 | $23,599 | $50 |
| Year 3 | $72,788 | $72,942 | $154 |
| Year 5 | $125,025 | $125,290 | $265 |
| Year 10 | $269,963 | $270,536 | $573 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Montecollum or Mullumbimby Creek cheaper to live in?
Montecollum is cheaper to run by car at $23,549 per year versus $23,599 for Mullumbimby Creek, a difference of $50 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Montecollum and Mullumbimby Creek?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,649 in Montecollum (Byron rates (OLG) and $1,649 in Mullumbimby Creek (Byron rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Montecollum and $1,300 in Mullumbimby Creek. Both figures are the average residential rate reported to the Office of Local Government, uplifted by each council's IPART rate peg.
How does the commute cost compare between Montecollum and Mullumbimby Creek?
Montecollum carries a flat regional driving allowance of $18,200, about 20,000 km of household driving a year, because it is more than 100 km from Sydney CBD. Mullumbimby Creek carries a flat regional driving allowance of $18,200, about 20,000 km of household driving a year, because it is more than 100 km from Sydney CBD. Public transport costs $2,400 from Montecollum and $2,400 from Mullumbimby Creek.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Montecollum and Mullumbimby Creek?
At 3% annual cost growth, Montecollum costs a cumulative $269,963 and Mullumbimby Creek costs $270,536 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $573 in favour of Montecollum. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Montecollum and Mullumbimby Creek 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: Byron rates (OLG and Byron rates (OLG 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.