Muirlea vs Pine Mountain, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Muirlea and Pine Mountain are both Ipswich City Council suburbs, sitting 30.9 km and 31.3 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $182 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 $2,100, about $4 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Pine Mountain
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Muirlea | Pine Mountain | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,298 | $1,298 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,627 | $6,659 | -$32 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,250 | $2,400 | -$150 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,200 | $2,000 | +$200 |
| Total (driving) | $12,075 | $12,257 | -$182 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,640 | $5,790 | -$150 |
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 | Muirlea | Pine Mountain | 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, Muirlea vs Pine Mountain (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Muirlea and Pine Mountain differ by $182 a year by car, but $150 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 $32, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $150 per year.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $5,640 and $5,790 a year, so the $182 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,298 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,900 a year.
- Driving commute favours Muirlea by $32 a year, $6,627 against $6,659.
- Building insurance favours Muirlea by $150 a year, $2,250 against $2,400.
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 | Muirlea cumulative | Pine Mountain cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,075 | $12,257 | $182 |
| Year 3 | $37,323 | $37,885 | $562 |
| Year 5 | $64,108 | $65,074 | $966 |
| Year 10 | $138,426 | $140,513 | $2,087 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Muirlea or Pine Mountain cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Muirlea runs $12,075 a year by car and Pine Mountain $12,257, but most of the $182 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $32. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Muirlea and Pine Mountain?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,298 in Muirlea (Ipswich City Council) and $1,298 in Pine Mountain (Ipswich City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Muirlea and $1,900 in Pine Mountain. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Muirlea and Pine Mountain?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,627 from Muirlea and $6,659 from Pine Mountain to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Muirlea and $192 from Pine Mountain.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Muirlea and Pine Mountain?
At 3% annual cost growth, Muirlea costs a cumulative $138,426 and Pine Mountain costs $140,513 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,087 in favour of Muirlea. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Muirlea and Pine Mountain suits you better?
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Sources: Ipswich City Council and Ipswich City 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.