Mysterton vs Pimlico: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Mysterton and Pimlico are both Townsville City Council suburbs, sitting 4 km and 3.9 km from Townsville CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Mysterton runs $369 a year cheaper than Pimlico, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,230.
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 →Mysterton
Pimlico
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Mysterton | Pimlico | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,343 | $1,343 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,099 | $2,099 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $1,328 | $1,297 | +$31 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $4,200 | $4,600 | -$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,000 | $2,200 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $8,970 | $9,339 | -$369 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,834 | $8,234 | -$400 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Mysterton | Pimlico | 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 — Mysterton vs Pimlico (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Mysterton costs $369 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,230 in favour of Mysterton.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $400 per year.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $7,834 from Mysterton versus $8,234 from Pimlico.
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 Pimlico by $31 a year, $1,297 against $1,328.
- Building insurance favours Mysterton by $400 a year, $4,200 against $4,600.
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 | Mysterton cumulative | Pimlico cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,970 | $9,339 | $369 |
| Year 3 | $27,725 | $28,866 | $1,141 |
| Year 5 | $47,623 | $49,582 | $1,959 |
| Year 10 | $102,831 | $107,061 | $4,230 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mysterton or Pimlico cheaper to live in?
Mysterton is cheaper to run by car at $8,970 per year versus $9,339 for Pimlico, a difference of $369 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Mysterton and Pimlico?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,343 in Mysterton (Townsville City Council) and $1,343 in Pimlico (Townsville City Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,099 in Mysterton and $2,099 in Pimlico. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Mysterton and Pimlico?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,328 from Mysterton and $1,297 from Pimlico to Townsville CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Mysterton and $192 from Pimlico.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Mysterton and Pimlico?
At 3% annual cost growth, Mysterton costs a cumulative $102,831 and Pimlico costs $107,061 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,230 in favour of Mysterton. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Mysterton and Pimlico 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 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.