Mudgeeraba vs Neranwood, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Mudgeeraba and Neranwood are both City of Gold Coast suburbs, sitting 13.6 km and 16.9 km from Gold Coast CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Mudgeeraba runs $764 a year cheaper than Neranwood, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $8,759.
Over 10 years, Mudgeeraba costs about $8,800 less to run than Neranwood. That's about $17 a week.
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Neranwood
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Mudgeeraba | Neranwood | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,359 | $1,359 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,169 | $2,169 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $3,944 | $4,658 | -$714 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,150 | $2,200 | -$50 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,800 | $2,200 | +$600 |
| Total (driving) | $9,622 | $10,386 | -$764 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,870 | $5,920 | -$50 |
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 | Mudgeeraba | Neranwood | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,135 | $2,135 | - |
| Unit | $1,776 | $1,776 | - |
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, Mudgeeraba vs Neranwood (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Mudgeeraba costs $764 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $8,759 in favour of Mudgeeraba.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $714 per year. Neranwood is 16.9 km from Gold Coast CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $5,870 and $5,920 a year, so the $764 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,359 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $2,169 a year.
- Driving commute favours Mudgeeraba by $714 a year, $3,944 against $4,658.
- Building insurance favours Mudgeeraba by $50 a year, $2,150 against $2,200.
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 | Mudgeeraba cumulative | Neranwood cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,622 | $10,386 | $764 |
| Year 3 | $29,741 | $32,102 | $2,361 |
| Year 5 | $51,085 | $55,141 | $4,056 |
| Year 10 | $110,305 | $119,064 | $8,759 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mudgeeraba or Neranwood cheaper to live in?
Mudgeeraba is cheaper to run by car at $9,622 per year versus $10,386 for Neranwood, a difference of $764 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Mudgeeraba and Neranwood?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,359 in Mudgeeraba (City of Gold Coast) and $1,359 in Neranwood (City of Gold Coast). Water and sewerage adds $2,169 in Mudgeeraba and $2,169 in Neranwood. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Mudgeeraba and Neranwood?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,944 from Mudgeeraba and $4,658 from Neranwood to Gold Coast CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Mudgeeraba and $192 from Neranwood.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Mudgeeraba and Neranwood?
At 3% annual cost growth, Mudgeeraba costs a cumulative $110,305 and Neranwood costs $119,064 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $8,759 in favour of Mudgeeraba. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Mudgeeraba and Neranwood suits you better?
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Sources: City of Gold Coast and City of Gold Coast 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.