Mowbray vs Oak Beach, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Mowbray and Oak Beach are both Douglas Shire Council suburbs, sitting 47.5 km and 45.8 km from Cairns CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $299 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 the gap between these two is about $3,400, about $7 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Oak Beach
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Mowbray | Oak Beach | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,400 | $1,400 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,765 | $1,765 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,743 | $6,842 | -$99 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,743 | $6,842 | -$99 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $3,500 | $3,700 | -$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,500 | $1,800 | -$300 |
| Total (driving) | $13,408 | $13,707 | -$299 |
| Total (public transport) | $13,408 | $13,707 | -$299 |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Mowbray | Oak Beach | 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, Mowbray vs Oak Beach (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Mowbray and Oak Beach differ by $299 a year by car, but $200 of that is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On the sourced costs, council rates, water and the commute, the gap is $99, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $200 per year.
On public transport the gap is $299 per year, $13,408 from Mowbray versus $13,707 from Oak Beach.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,400 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,765 a year.
- Driving commute favours Mowbray by $99 a year, $6,743 against $6,842.
- Building insurance favours Mowbray by $200 a year, $3,500 against $3,700.
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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Mowbray cumulative | Oak Beach cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $13,408 | $13,707 | $299 |
| Year 3 | $41,443 | $42,367 | $924 |
| Year 5 | $71,185 | $72,772 | $1,587 |
| Year 10 | $153,708 | $157,135 | $3,427 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mowbray or Oak Beach cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Mowbray runs $13,408 a year by car and Oak Beach $13,707, but most of the $299 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $99. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Mowbray and Oak Beach?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,400 in Mowbray (Douglas Shire Council) and $1,400 in Oak Beach (Douglas Shire 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 $6,743 from Mowbray and $6,842 from Oak Beach to Cairns CBD (ATO 91c/km). No daily public transport commute is assumed from either suburb, so both are costed by car.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Mowbray and Oak Beach?
At 3% annual cost growth, Mowbray costs a cumulative $153,708 and Oak Beach costs $157,135 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,427 in favour of Mowbray. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Mowbray and Oak Beach suits you better?
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: Douglas Shire Council and Douglas Shire 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.