Mount St John vs Town Common: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Mount St John and Town Common are both Townsville City Council suburbs, sitting 8.1 km and 9.3 km from Townsville CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $28 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 St John
Town Common
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Mount St John | Town Common | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,343 | $1,343 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,099 | $2,099 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,544 | $2,872 | -$328 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $4,500 | $4,200 | +$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,000 | $2,200 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $10,486 | $10,514 | -$28 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,134 | $7,834 | +$300 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Mount St John | Town Common | 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 St John vs Town Common (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Mount St John and Town Common cost within $28 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $321, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $328 per year. Town Common is 9.3 km from Townsville CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $8,134 from Mount St John versus $7,834 from Town Common.
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 $328 a year, $2,544 against $2,872.
- Building insurance favours Town Common by $300 a year, $4,200 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 5.7 in Town Common against 1 in Mount St John, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Mount St John cumulative | Town Common cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,486 | $10,514 | $28 |
| Year 3 | $32,411 | $32,498 | $87 |
| Year 5 | $55,672 | $55,820 | $148 |
| Year 10 | $120,210 | $120,531 | $321 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mount St John or Town Common cheaper to live in?
Mount St John is cheaper to run by car at $10,486 per year versus $10,514 for Town Common, a difference of $28 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Mount St John and Town Common?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,343 in Mount St John (Townsville City Council) and $1,343 in Town Common (Townsville City Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,099 in Mount St John and $2,099 in Town Common. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Mount St John and Town Common?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,544 from Mount St John and $2,872 from Town Common to Townsville CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Mount St John and $192 from Town Common.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Mount St John and Town Common?
At 3% annual cost growth, Mount St John costs a cumulative $120,210 and Town Common costs $120,531 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $321 in favour of Mount St John. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Mount St John and Town Common 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.