Spring Mountain vs Springfield Lakes: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Spring Mountain and Springfield Lakes are both Ipswich City Council suburbs, sitting 29.7 km and 26.2 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Springfield Lakes runs $318 a year cheaper than Spring Mountain, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,646.
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 →Spring Mountain
Springfield Lakes
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Spring Mountain | Springfield Lakes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,298 | $1,298 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,525 | $6,157 | +$368 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,900 | $2,950 | -$50 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,000 | $2,000 | - |
| Total (driving) | $12,623 | $12,305 | +$318 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,290 | $6,340 | -$50 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Spring Mountain | Springfield Lakes | 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 — Spring Mountain vs Springfield Lakes (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Springfield Lakes costs $318 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,646 in favour of Springfield Lakes.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $368 per year. Spring Mountain is 29.7 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $6,290 and $6,340 a year, so the $318 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 Springfield Lakes by $368 a year, $6,157 against $6,525.
- Building insurance favours Spring Mountain by $50 a year, $2,900 against $2,950.
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.
The catchment state school scores 8.2 in Spring Mountain against 6.6 in Springfield Lakes, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Spring Mountain cumulative | Springfield Lakes cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,623 | $12,305 | $318 |
| Year 3 | $39,016 | $38,034 | $982 |
| Year 5 | $67,017 | $65,329 | $1,688 |
| Year 10 | $144,709 | $141,063 | $3,646 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Spring Mountain or Springfield Lakes cheaper to live in?
Springfield Lakes is cheaper to run by car at $12,305 per year versus $12,623 for Spring Mountain, a difference of $318 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Spring Mountain and Springfield Lakes?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,298 in Spring Mountain (Ipswich City Council) and $1,298 in Springfield Lakes (Ipswich City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Spring Mountain and $1,900 in Springfield Lakes. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Spring Mountain and Springfield Lakes?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,525 from Spring Mountain and $6,157 from Springfield Lakes to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Spring Mountain and $192 from Springfield Lakes.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Spring Mountain and Springfield Lakes?
At 3% annual cost growth, Spring Mountain costs a cumulative $144,709 and Springfield Lakes costs $141,063 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,646 in favour of Springfield Lakes. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Spring Mountain and Springfield Lakes 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: 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 AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.