Mount Irving vs Purrawunda: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Mount Irving and Purrawunda are both Toowoomba Regional Council suburbs, sitting 36.9 km and 33.5 km from Toowoomba CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $243 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 Irving
Purrawunda
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Mount Irving | Purrawunda | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,444 | $1,444 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,188 | $2,188 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,947 | $6,804 | +$143 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,100 | $2,000 | +$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $12,679 | $12,436 | +$243 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,924 | $5,824 | +$100 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Mount Irving | Purrawunda | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,274 | $2,274 | - |
| Unit | $1,870 | $1,870 | - |
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 Irving vs Purrawunda (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Mount Irving and Purrawunda cost within $243 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,786, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $143 per year. Mount Irving is 36.9 km from Toowoomba CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $5,924 and $5,824 a year, so the $243 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,444 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $2,188 a year.
- Driving commute favours Purrawunda by $143 a year, $6,804 against $6,947.
- Building insurance favours Purrawunda by $100 a year, $2,000 against $2,100.
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 Irving cumulative | Purrawunda cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,679 | $12,436 | $243 |
| Year 3 | $39,190 | $38,438 | $752 |
| Year 5 | $67,315 | $66,024 | $1,291 |
| Year 10 | $145,351 | $142,565 | $2,786 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mount Irving or Purrawunda cheaper to live in?
Purrawunda is cheaper to run by car at $12,436 per year versus $12,679 for Mount Irving, a difference of $243 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Mount Irving and Purrawunda?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,444 in Mount Irving (Toowoomba Regional Council) and $1,444 in Purrawunda (Toowoomba Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,188 in Mount Irving and $2,188 in Purrawunda. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Mount Irving and Purrawunda?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,947 from Mount Irving and $6,804 from Purrawunda to Toowoomba CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Mount Irving and $192 from Purrawunda.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Mount Irving and Purrawunda?
At 3% annual cost growth, Mount Irving costs a cumulative $145,351 and Purrawunda costs $142,565 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,786 in favour of Purrawunda. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Mount Irving and Purrawunda 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: Toowoomba Regional Council and Toowoomba Regional 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.