Mount Warning vs Uki: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Mount Warning and Uki are both Tweed rates (OLG suburbs, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $50 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 Warning
Uki
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Mount Warning | Uki | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,799 | $1,799 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $18,200 | $18,200 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,400 | $2,450 | -$50 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,699 | $23,749 | -$50 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,899 | $7,949 | -$50 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Mount Warning | Uki | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,774 | $2,774 | - |
| Unit | $2,329 | $2,329 | - |
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 Warning vs Uki (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Mount Warning and Uki cost within $50 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $574, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $50 per year. Uki carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,899 and $7,949 a year, so the $50 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,799 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute is identical at $18,200 a year.
- Building insurance favours Mount Warning by $50 a year, $2,400 against $2,450.
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 the insurance band.
Flood risk is rated medium in Uki against low in Mount Warning, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated high in Mount Warning against medium in Uki, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Mount Warning cumulative | Uki cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,699 | $23,749 | $50 |
| Year 3 | $73,251 | $73,406 | $155 |
| Year 5 | $125,821 | $126,087 | $266 |
| Year 10 | $271,682 | $272,256 | $574 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mount Warning or Uki cheaper to live in?
Mount Warning is cheaper to run by car at $23,699 per year versus $23,749 for Uki, a difference of $50 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Mount Warning and Uki?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,799 in Mount Warning (Tweed rates (OLG) and $1,799 in Uki (Tweed rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Mount Warning and $1,300 in Uki. Both figures are the average residential rate reported to the Office of Local Government, uplifted by each council's IPART rate peg.
How does the commute cost compare between Mount Warning and Uki?
Mount Warning 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 Sydney CBD. Uki 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 Sydney CBD. Public transport costs $2,400 from Mount Warning and $2,400 from Uki.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Mount Warning and Uki?
At 3% annual cost growth, Mount Warning costs a cumulative $271,682 and Uki costs $272,256 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $574 in favour of Mount Warning. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Mount Warning and Uki 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: Tweed rates (OLG and Tweed rates (OLG 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.