Mount Gravatt vs Upper Mount Gravatt: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Mount Gravatt and Upper Mount Gravatt are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 9.1 km and 10.9 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $129 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 →Mount Gravatt
Upper Mount Gravatt
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Mount Gravatt | Upper Mount Gravatt | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $950 | $950 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,818 | $3,289 | -$471 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,800 | $2,200 | +$600 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,800 | $2,900 | -$100 |
| Total (driving) | $8,468 | $8,339 | +$129 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,842 | $5,242 | +$600 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Mount Gravatt | Upper Mount Gravatt | 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 Gravatt vs Upper Mount Gravatt (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Mount Gravatt and Upper Mount Gravatt cost within $129 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,479, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $600 per year.
On public transport the gap is $600 per year, $5,842 from Mount Gravatt versus $5,242 from Upper Mount Gravatt.
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 by $471 a year, $2,818 against $3,289.
- Building insurance favours Upper Mount Gravatt by $600 a year, $2,200 against $2,800.
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.
Fire risk is rated high in Mount Gravatt against medium in Upper Mount Gravatt, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Mount Gravatt cumulative | Upper Mount Gravatt cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,468 | $8,339 | $129 |
| Year 3 | $26,174 | $25,775 | $399 |
| Year 5 | $44,958 | $44,273 | $685 |
| Year 10 | $97,076 | $95,597 | $1,479 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mount Gravatt or Upper Mount Gravatt cheaper to live in?
Upper Mount Gravatt is cheaper to run by car at $8,339 per year versus $8,468 for Mount Gravatt, a difference of $129 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Mount Gravatt and Upper Mount Gravatt?
Annual council rates for a house are $950 in Mount Gravatt (Brisbane City Council) and $950 in Upper Mount Gravatt (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Mount Gravatt and $1,900 in Upper Mount Gravatt. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Mount Gravatt and Upper Mount Gravatt?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,818 from Mount Gravatt and $3,289 from Upper Mount Gravatt to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Mount Gravatt and $192 from Upper Mount Gravatt.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Mount Gravatt and Upper Mount Gravatt?
At 3% annual cost growth, Mount Gravatt costs a cumulative $97,076 and Upper Mount Gravatt costs $95,597 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,479 in favour of Upper Mount Gravatt. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Mount Gravatt and Upper Mount Gravatt 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: 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.