Mountain Camp vs Pierces Creek: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Mountain Camp and Pierces Creek are both Toowoomba Regional Council suburbs, sitting 40.4 km and 44.8 km from Toowoomba CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $100 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 →Mountain Camp
Pierces Creek
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Mountain Camp | Pierces Creek | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,444 | $1,444 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,188 | $2,188 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,988 | $6,888 | +$100 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,400 | +$100 |
| Total (driving) | $12,720 | $12,620 | +$100 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,924 | $5,924 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Mountain Camp | Pierces Creek | 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 — Mountain Camp vs Pierces Creek (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Mountain Camp and Pierces Creek cost within $100 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,147, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $100 per year. Pierces Creek is 44.8 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, $5,924 and $5,924 a year, so the $100 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 Pierces Creek by $100 a year, $6,888 against $6,988.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,100 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. What separates them is commute distance.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Mountain Camp cumulative | Pierces Creek cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,720 | $12,620 | $100 |
| Year 3 | $39,316 | $39,007 | $309 |
| Year 5 | $67,532 | $67,001 | $531 |
| Year 10 | $145,821 | $144,674 | $1,147 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mountain Camp or Pierces Creek cheaper to live in?
Pierces Creek is cheaper to run by car at $12,620 per year versus $12,720 for Mountain Camp, a difference of $100 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Mountain Camp and Pierces Creek?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,444 in Mountain Camp (Toowoomba Regional Council) and $1,444 in Pierces Creek (Toowoomba Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,188 in Mountain Camp and $2,188 in Pierces Creek. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Mountain Camp and Pierces Creek?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,988 from Mountain Camp and $6,888 from Pierces Creek to Toowoomba CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Mountain Camp and $192 from Pierces Creek.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Mountain Camp and Pierces Creek?
At 3% annual cost growth, Mountain Camp costs a cumulative $145,821 and Pierces Creek costs $144,674 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,147 in favour of Pierces Creek. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Mountain Camp and Pierces Creek 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: 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.