Montville vs North Maleny: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Montville and North Maleny are both Sunshine Coast Council suburbs, sitting 21 km and 23.4 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Montville runs $510 a year cheaper than North Maleny, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,846.
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 →Montville
North Maleny
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Montville | North Maleny | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,771 | $1,771 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,094 | $2,094 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,234 | $5,594 | -$360 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,050 | $3,200 | -$150 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $12,149 | $12,659 | -$510 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,107 | $7,257 | -$150 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Montville | North Maleny | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $1,976 | $1,976 | - |
| Unit | $1,591 | $1,591 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2025 rates (QLD 30c/kWh, NSW 33c/kWh incl. supply charge; unit ≈ 75% of a house). Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Cost breakdown chart
Annual cost breakdown — Montville vs North Maleny (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Montville costs $510 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,846 in favour of Montville.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $360 per year. North Maleny is 23.4 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,107 and $7,257 a year, so the $510 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Montville cumulative | North Maleny cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,149 | $12,659 | $510 |
| Year 3 | $37,551 | $39,128 | $1,577 |
| Year 5 | $64,501 | $67,208 | $2,707 |
| Year 10 | $139,275 | $145,121 | $5,846 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Montville or North Maleny cheaper to live in?
Montville is cheaper to run by car at $12,149 per year versus $12,659 for North Maleny, a difference of $510 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Montville and North Maleny?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,771 in Montville (Sunshine Coast Council) and $1,771 in North Maleny (Sunshine Coast Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,094 in Montville and $2,094 in North Maleny. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Montville and North Maleny?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,234 from Montville and $5,594 from North Maleny to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Montville and $192 from North Maleny.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Montville and North Maleny?
At 3% annual cost growth, Montville costs a cumulative $139,275 and North Maleny costs $145,121 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,846 in favour of Montville. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Montville and North Maleny 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: Sunshine Coast Council and Sunshine Coast Council rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.