Mount Marrow vs Walloon, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Mount Marrow and Walloon are both Ipswich City Council suburbs, sitting 42.2 km and 38.6 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $88 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.
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Walloon
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Mount Marrow | Walloon | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,298 | $1,298 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,968 | $6,980 | -$12 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,200 | $2,100 | +$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,200 | $2,200 | - |
| Total (driving) | $12,366 | $12,278 | +$88 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,590 | $5,490 | +$100 |
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 Marrow | Walloon | 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 Marrow vs Walloon (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Mount Marrow and Walloon cost within $88 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,008, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $100 per year.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $5,590 and $5,490 a year, so the $88 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,298 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,900 a year.
- Driving commute favours Mount Marrow by $12 a year, $6,968 against $6,980.
- Building insurance favours Walloon by $100 a year, $2,100 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 Marrow cumulative | Walloon cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,366 | $12,278 | $88 |
| Year 3 | $38,222 | $37,950 | $272 |
| Year 5 | $65,653 | $65,186 | $467 |
| Year 10 | $141,762 | $140,754 | $1,008 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mount Marrow or Walloon cheaper to live in?
Walloon is cheaper to run by car at $12,278 per year versus $12,366 for Mount Marrow, a difference of $88 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Mount Marrow and Walloon?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,298 in Mount Marrow (Ipswich City Council) and $1,298 in Walloon (Ipswich City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Mount Marrow and $1,900 in Walloon. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Mount Marrow and Walloon?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,968 from Mount Marrow and $6,980 from Walloon to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Mount Marrow and $192 from Walloon.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Mount Marrow and Walloon?
At 3% annual cost growth, Mount Marrow costs a cumulative $141,762 and Walloon costs $140,754 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,008 in favour of Walloon. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Mount Marrow and Walloon suits you better?
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Sources: Ipswich City Council and Ipswich 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.