Samford Valley vs Wights Mountain, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Samford Valley and Wights Mountain are both Moreton Bay Regional Council suburbs, sitting 19.1 km and 19.6 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $59 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 these two cost about the same to run.
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Wights Mountain
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Samford Valley | Wights Mountain | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,309 | $1,309 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,144 | $2,144 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $5,080 | $5,171 | -$91 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,250 | $2,100 | +$150 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,200 | $1,900 | +$300 |
| Total (driving) | $10,783 | $10,724 | +$59 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,895 | $5,745 | +$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 | Samford Valley | Wights 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, Samford Valley vs Wights Mountain (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Samford Valley and Wights Mountain cost within $59 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $676, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $150 per year.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $5,895 and $5,745 a year, so the $59 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,309 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $2,144 a year.
- Driving commute favours Samford Valley by $91 a year, $5,080 against $5,171.
- Building insurance favours Wights Mountain by $150 a year, $2,100 against $2,250.
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 | Samford Valley cumulative | Wights Mountain cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,783 | $10,724 | $59 |
| Year 3 | $33,329 | $33,147 | $182 |
| Year 5 | $57,248 | $56,935 | $313 |
| Year 10 | $123,615 | $122,939 | $676 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Samford Valley or Wights Mountain cheaper to live in?
Wights Mountain is cheaper to run by car at $10,724 per year versus $10,783 for Samford Valley, a difference of $59 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Samford Valley and Wights Mountain?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,309 in Samford Valley (Moreton Bay Regional Council) and $1,309 in Wights Mountain (Moreton Bay Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,144 in Samford Valley and $2,144 in Wights Mountain. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Samford Valley and Wights Mountain?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,080 from Samford Valley and $5,171 from Wights Mountain to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Samford Valley and $192 from Wights Mountain.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Samford Valley and Wights Mountain?
At 3% annual cost growth, Samford Valley costs a cumulative $123,615 and Wights Mountain costs $122,939 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $676 in favour of Wights Mountain. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Samford Valley and Wights Mountain suits you better?
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Sources: Moreton Bay Regional Council and Moreton Bay Regional 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.