Mowbray vs Oak Beach: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Mowbray and Oak Beach are both Cairns Regional Council suburbs, sitting 47.5 km and 45.8 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Mowbray runs $495 a year cheaper than Oak Beach, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,674.
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 →Mowbray
Oak Beach
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Mowbray | Oak Beach | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,165 | $1,165 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,765 | $1,765 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,521 | $6,616 | -$95 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $6,800 | $7,200 | -$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,800 | -$300 |
| Total (driving) | $16,251 | $16,746 | -$495 |
| Total (public transport) | $9,922 | $10,322 | -$400 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Mowbray | Oak Beach | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,218 | $2,218 | - |
| Unit | $1,773 | $1,773 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2025 rates (QLD 30c/kWh, NSW 33c/kWh incl. supply charge; unit ≈ 75% of a house). Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Cost breakdown chart
Annual cost breakdown — Mowbray vs Oak Beach (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Mowbray costs $495 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,674 in favour of Mowbray.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $400 per year.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $9,922 from Mowbray versus $10,322 from Oak Beach.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Mowbray cumulative | Oak Beach cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $16,251 | $16,746 | $495 |
| Year 3 | $50,230 | $51,760 | $1,530 |
| Year 5 | $86,279 | $88,907 | $2,628 |
| Year 10 | $186,300 | $191,974 | $5,674 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mowbray or Oak Beach cheaper to live in?
Mowbray is cheaper to run by car at $16,251 per year versus $16,746 for Oak Beach, a difference of $495 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Mowbray and Oak Beach?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,165 in Mowbray (Cairns Regional Council) and $1,165 in Oak Beach (Cairns Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,765 in Mowbray and $1,765 in Oak Beach. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Mowbray and Oak Beach?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,521 from Mowbray and $6,616 from Oak Beach to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Mowbray and $192 from Oak Beach.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Mowbray and Oak Beach?
At 3% annual cost growth, Mowbray costs a cumulative $186,300 and Oak Beach costs $191,974 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,674 in favour of Mowbray. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Mowbray and Oak Beach 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: Cairns Regional Council and Cairns Regional Council rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.