Mount Ommaney vs Pinjarra Hills, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Mount Ommaney and Pinjarra Hills are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 12.5 km and 13.8 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Mount Ommaney runs $455 a year cheaper than Pinjarra Hills, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,216.
Over 10 years, Mount Ommaney costs about $5,200 less to run than Pinjarra Hills. That's about $10 a week.
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Pinjarra Hills
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Mount Ommaney | Pinjarra Hills | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $950 | $950 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $3,686 | $3,991 | -$305 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,150 | $2,300 | -$150 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,800 | $2,200 | +$600 |
| Total (driving) | $8,686 | $9,141 | -$455 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,192 | $5,342 | -$150 |
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 Ommaney | Pinjarra Hills | 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 Ommaney vs Pinjarra Hills (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Mount Ommaney costs $455 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,216 in favour of Mount Ommaney.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $305 per year. Pinjarra Hills is 13.8 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 $5,342 a year, so the $455 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 Ommaney by $305 a year, $3,686 against $3,991.
- Building insurance favours Mount Ommaney by $150 a year, $2,150 against $2,300.
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.
Flood risk is rated high in Pinjarra Hills against medium in Mount Ommaney, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Mount Ommaney cumulative | Pinjarra Hills cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,686 | $9,141 | $455 |
| Year 3 | $26,848 | $28,254 | $1,406 |
| Year 5 | $46,115 | $48,531 | $2,416 |
| Year 10 | $99,575 | $104,791 | $5,216 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mount Ommaney or Pinjarra Hills cheaper to live in?
Mount Ommaney is cheaper to run by car at $8,686 per year versus $9,141 for Pinjarra Hills, a difference of $455 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Mount Ommaney and Pinjarra Hills?
Annual council rates for a house are $950 in Mount Ommaney (Brisbane City Council) and $950 in Pinjarra Hills (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Mount Ommaney and $1,900 in Pinjarra Hills. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Mount Ommaney and Pinjarra Hills?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,686 from Mount Ommaney and $3,991 from Pinjarra Hills to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Mount Ommaney and $192 from Pinjarra Hills.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Mount Ommaney and Pinjarra Hills?
At 3% annual cost growth, Mount Ommaney costs a cumulative $99,575 and Pinjarra Hills costs $104,791 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,216 in favour of Mount Ommaney. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Mount Ommaney and Pinjarra Hills 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.