Mount Tully vs Storm King, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Mount Tully and Storm King are both Southern Downs Regional Council suburbs, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $0 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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Storm King
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Mount Tully | Storm King | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,416 | $1,416 | - |
| Water & sewerage Estimated stand-in | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $18,200 | $18,200 | - |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $18,200 | $18,200 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,350 | $2,350 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,500 | $1,400 | +$100 |
| Total (driving) | $23,866 | $23,866 | - |
| Total (public transport) | $23,866 | $23,866 | - |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Mount Tully's water charge is Queensland Urban Utilities's, standing in until its own council's schedule is loaded. Storm King's water charge is Queensland Urban Utilities's, standing in until its own council's schedule is loaded. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Mount Tully | Storm King | 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 Tully vs Storm King (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Mount Tully and Storm King cost within $0 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $0, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $0 per year.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $23,866 and $23,866 a year, so the $0 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,416 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,900 a year.
- Driving commute is identical at $18,200 a year.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,350 a year.
Both suburbs sit in the same council area, so the rates line is identical and none of the difference between them comes from council. On these four costs they are identical.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Mount Tully cumulative | Storm King cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,866 | $23,866 | $0 |
| Year 3 | $73,767 | $73,767 | $0 |
| Year 5 | $126,708 | $126,708 | $0 |
| Year 10 | $273,597 | $273,597 | $0 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mount Tully or Storm King cheaper to live in?
Mount Tully is cheaper to run by car at $23,866 per year versus $23,866 for Storm King, a difference of $0 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Mount Tully and Storm King?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,416 in Mount Tully (Southern Downs Regional Council) and $1,416 in Storm King (Southern Downs Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Mount Tully and $1,900 in Storm King. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Mount Tully and Storm King?
Mount Tully carries a flat regional driving allowance of $18,200, about 20,000 km of household driving a year, because it is more than 100 km from Toowoomba CBD. Storm King carries a flat regional driving allowance of $18,200, about 20,000 km of household driving a year, because it is more than 100 km from Toowoomba CBD. No daily public transport commute is assumed from either suburb, so both are costed by car.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Mount Tully and Storm King?
At 3% annual cost growth, Mount Tully costs a cumulative $273,597 and Storm King costs $273,597 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $0 in favour of Mount Tully. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Mount Tully and Storm King suits you better?
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Sources: Southern Downs Regional Council and Southern Downs Regional 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.