Mount Coot-tha vs The Gap, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Mount Coot-tha and The Gap are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 7.6 km and 8.7 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Mount Coot-tha runs $356 a year cheaper than The Gap, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,081.
Over 10 years, Mount Coot-tha costs about $4,100 less to run than The Gap. That's about $8 a week.
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The Gap
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Mount Coot-tha | The Gap | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $950 | $950 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,403 | $2,709 | -$306 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,150 | $2,200 | -$50 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $3,200 | $2,800 | +$400 |
| Total (driving) | $7,403 | $7,759 | -$356 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,192 | $5,242 | -$50 |
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 | Mount Coot-tha | The Gap | 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, Mount Coot-tha vs The Gap (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Mount Coot-tha costs $356 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,081 in favour of Mount Coot-tha.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $306 per year. The Gap is 8.7 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, $5,192 and $5,242 a year, so the $356 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 Coot-tha by $306 a year, $2,403 against $2,709.
- Building insurance favours Mount Coot-tha by $50 a year, $2,150 against $2,200.
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 | Mount Coot-tha cumulative | The Gap cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,403 | $7,759 | $356 |
| Year 3 | $22,882 | $23,982 | $1,100 |
| Year 5 | $39,304 | $41,194 | $1,890 |
| Year 10 | $84,867 | $88,948 | $4,081 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mount Coot-tha or The Gap cheaper to live in?
Mount Coot-tha is cheaper to run by car at $7,403 per year versus $7,759 for The Gap, a difference of $356 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Mount Coot-tha and The Gap?
Annual council rates for a house are $950 in Mount Coot-tha (Brisbane City Council) and $950 in The Gap (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Mount Coot-tha and $1,900 in The Gap. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Mount Coot-tha and The Gap?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,403 from Mount Coot-tha and $2,709 from The Gap to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Mount Coot-tha and $192 from The Gap.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Mount Coot-tha and The Gap?
At 3% annual cost growth, Mount Coot-tha costs a cumulative $84,867 and The Gap costs $88,948 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,081 in favour of Mount Coot-tha. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Mount Coot-tha and The Gap suits you better?
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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 insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.