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.
Mowbray runs $499 a year cheaper than Oak Beach, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,721.
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 | $1,400 | $1,400 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,765 | $1,765 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,743 | $6,842 | -$99 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $6,800 | $7,200 | -$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,800 | -$300 |
| Total (driving) | $16,708 | $17,207 | -$499 |
| Total (public transport) | $10,157 | $10,557 | -$400 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; 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 costs $499 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,721 in favour of Mowbray.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $400 per year.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $10,157 from Mowbray versus $10,557 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 $400 a year, $6,800 against $7,200.
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 | $16,708 | $17,207 | $499 |
| Year 3 | $51,643 | $53,185 | $1,542 |
| Year 5 | $88,705 | $91,354 | $2,649 |
| Year 10 | $191,538 | $197,259 | $5,721 |
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 $16,708 per year versus $17,207 for Oak Beach, a difference of $499 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Mowbray and Oak Beach?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,400 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). 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 $191,538 and Oak Beach costs $197,259 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,721 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.
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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 AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.