Mount Louisa vs Mount St John: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Mount Louisa and Mount St John are both Townsville City Council suburbs, sitting 9 km and 8.1 km from Townsville CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $147 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 Louisa
Mount St John
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Mount Louisa | Mount St John | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,343 | $1,343 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,099 | $2,099 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,791 | $2,544 | +$247 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $4,400 | $4,500 | -$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,000 | $2,000 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,633 | $10,486 | +$147 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,034 | $8,134 | -$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 Louisa | Mount St John | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,373 | $2,373 | - |
| Unit | $1,945 | $1,945 | - |
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 Louisa vs Mount St John (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Mount Louisa and Mount St John cost within $147 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,685, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $247 per year. Mount Louisa is 9 km from Townsville CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $8,034 and $8,134 a year, so the $147 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,343 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $2,099 a year.
- Driving commute favours Mount St John by $247 a year, $2,544 against $2,791.
- Building insurance favours Mount Louisa by $100 a year, $4,400 against $4,500.
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.
The catchment state school scores 4.2 in Mount Louisa against 1 in Mount St John, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Mount Louisa cumulative | Mount St John cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,633 | $10,486 | $147 |
| Year 3 | $32,866 | $32,411 | $455 |
| Year 5 | $56,452 | $55,672 | $780 |
| Year 10 | $121,895 | $120,210 | $1,685 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mount Louisa or Mount St John cheaper to live in?
Mount St John is cheaper to run by car at $10,486 per year versus $10,633 for Mount Louisa, a difference of $147 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Mount Louisa and Mount St John?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,343 in Mount Louisa (Townsville City Council) and $1,343 in Mount St John (Townsville City Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,099 in Mount Louisa and $2,099 in Mount St John. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Mount Louisa and Mount St John?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,791 from Mount Louisa and $2,544 from Mount St John to Townsville CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Mount Louisa and $192 from Mount St John.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Mount Louisa and Mount St John?
At 3% annual cost growth, Mount Louisa costs a cumulative $121,895 and Mount St John costs $120,210 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,685 in favour of Mount St John. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Mount Louisa and Mount St John 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: Townsville City Council and Townsville 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.