Mundingburra vs Mysterton: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Mundingburra and Mysterton are both Townsville City Council suburbs, sitting 5.3 km and 4 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Mysterton runs $388 a year cheaper than Mundingburra, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,448.
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) | $1,672 | $1,284 | +$388 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $4,200 | $4,200 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,200 | $2,000 | +$200 |
| Total (driving) | $9,314 | $8,926 | +$388 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,834 | $7,834 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Mundingburra | Mysterton | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,218 | $2,218 | - |
| Unit | $1,773 | $1,773 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2025 rates (QLD 30c/kWh, NSW 33c/kWh incl. supply charge; 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 $388 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,448 in favour of Mysterton.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $388 per year. Mundingburra is 5.3 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,834 and $7,834 a year, so the $388 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Mundingburra cumulative | Mysterton cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,314 | $8,926 | $388 |
| Year 3 | $28,789 | $27,589 | $1,200 |
| Year 5 | $49,449 | $47,389 | $2,060 |
| Year 10 | $106,775 | $102,327 | $4,448 |
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 $8,926 per year versus $9,314 for Mundingburra, a difference of $388 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/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 $1,672 from Mundingburra and $1,284 from Mysterton to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/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 $106,775 and Mysterton costs $102,327 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,448 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.
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Sources: Townsville City Council and Townsville City Council rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.