Mount Rascal vs Top Camp: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Mount Rascal and Top Camp are both Toowoomba Regional Council suburbs, sitting 9.1 km and 8.4 km from Toowoomba CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $91 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 Rascal
Top Camp
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Mount Rascal | Top Camp | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,444 | $1,444 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,188 | $2,188 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,818 | $2,627 | +$191 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,900 | $2,000 | -$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,900 | -$100 |
| Total (driving) | $8,350 | $8,259 | +$91 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,724 | $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 Rascal | Top Camp | 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 Rascal vs Top Camp (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Mount Rascal and Top Camp cost within $91 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,043, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $191 per year. Mount Rascal is 9.1 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, $5,724 and $5,824 a year, so the $91 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 Top Camp by $191 a year, $2,627 against $2,818.
- Building insurance favours Mount Rascal by $100 a year, $1,900 against $2,000.
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 medium in Top Camp against low in Mount Rascal, which feeds the insurance estimate. The catchment state school scores 7.1 in Top Camp against 5.8 in Mount Rascal, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Mount Rascal cumulative | Top Camp cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,350 | $8,259 | $91 |
| Year 3 | $25,809 | $25,528 | $281 |
| Year 5 | $44,331 | $43,848 | $483 |
| Year 10 | $95,723 | $94,680 | $1,043 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mount Rascal or Top Camp cheaper to live in?
Top Camp is cheaper to run by car at $8,259 per year versus $8,350 for Mount Rascal, a difference of $91 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Mount Rascal and Top Camp?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,444 in Mount Rascal (Toowoomba Regional Council) and $1,444 in Top Camp (Toowoomba Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,188 in Mount Rascal and $2,188 in Top Camp. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Mount Rascal and Top Camp?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,818 from Mount Rascal and $2,627 from Top Camp to Toowoomba CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Mount Rascal and $192 from Top Camp.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Mount Rascal and Top Camp?
At 3% annual cost growth, Mount Rascal costs a cumulative $95,723 and Top Camp costs $94,680 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,043 in favour of Top Camp. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Mount Rascal and Top Camp 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.