Mundingburra vs Mysterton: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Mundingburra and Mysterton are both Townsville City Council suburbs, sitting 5.3 km and 4 km from Townsville CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Mysterton runs $401 a year cheaper than Mundingburra, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,597.
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 →Mundingburra
Mysterton
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Mundingburra | Mysterton | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,343 | $1,343 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,099 | $2,099 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $1,729 | $1,328 | +$401 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $4,200 | $4,200 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,200 | $2,000 | +$200 |
| Total (driving) | $9,371 | $8,970 | +$401 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,834 | $7,834 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Mundingburra | Mysterton | 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 — Mundingburra vs Mysterton (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Mysterton costs $401 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,597 in favour of Mysterton.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $401 per year. Mundingburra is 5.3 km from Townsville CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,834 and $7,834 a year, so the $401 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,343 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $2,099 a year.
- Driving commute favours Mysterton by $401 a year, $1,328 against $1,729.
- Building insurance is identical at $4,200 a year.
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.
The catchment state school scores 6.7 in Mysterton against 5.1 in Mundingburra, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Mundingburra cumulative | Mysterton cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,371 | $8,970 | $401 |
| Year 3 | $28,965 | $27,725 | $1,240 |
| Year 5 | $49,752 | $47,623 | $2,129 |
| Year 10 | $107,428 | $102,831 | $4,597 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mundingburra or Mysterton cheaper to live in?
Mysterton is cheaper to run by car at $8,970 per year versus $9,371 for Mundingburra, a difference of $401 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Mundingburra and Mysterton?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,343 in Mundingburra (Townsville City Council) and $1,343 in Mysterton (Townsville City Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,099 in Mundingburra and $2,099 in Mysterton. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Mundingburra and Mysterton?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,729 from Mundingburra and $1,328 from Mysterton to Townsville CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Mundingburra and $192 from Mysterton.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Mundingburra and Mysterton?
At 3% annual cost growth, Mundingburra costs a cumulative $107,428 and Mysterton costs $102,831 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,597 in favour of Mysterton. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Mundingburra and Mysterton 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: Townsville City Council and Townsville City 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.