Tamborine Mountain vs Wonglepong: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Tamborine Mountain and Wonglepong are both Scenic Rim Regional Council suburbs, sitting 20.7 km and 16.6 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Wonglepong runs $1,039 a year cheaper than Tamborine Mountain, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $11,911.
Over 10 years, Wonglepong costs about $11,900 less to run than Tamborine Mountain — the same as paying $11,900 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Wonglepong
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Tamborine Mountain | Wonglepong | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,376 | $1,376 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,185 | $4,446 | +$739 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,400 | $3,100 | +$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,600 | $1,500 | +$100 |
| Total (driving) | $11,861 | $10,822 | +$1,039 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,868 | $6,568 | +$300 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Tamborine Mountain | Wonglepong | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $1,976 | $1,976 | - |
| Unit | $1,591 | $1,591 | - |
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 — Tamborine Mountain vs Wonglepong (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Wonglepong costs $1,039 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $11,911 in favour of Wonglepong.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $739 per year. Tamborine Mountain is 20.7 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $6,868 from Tamborine Mountain versus $6,568 from Wonglepong.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Tamborine Mountain cumulative | Wonglepong cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,861 | $10,822 | $1,039 |
| Year 3 | $36,661 | $33,450 | $3,211 |
| Year 5 | $62,972 | $57,455 | $5,517 |
| Year 10 | $135,973 | $124,062 | $11,911 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Tamborine Mountain or Wonglepong cheaper to live in?
Wonglepong is cheaper to run by car at $10,822 per year versus $11,861 for Tamborine Mountain, a difference of $1,039 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Tamborine Mountain and Wonglepong?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,376 in Tamborine Mountain (Scenic Rim Regional Council) and $1,376 in Wonglepong (Scenic Rim Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Tamborine Mountain and $1,900 in Wonglepong. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Tamborine Mountain and Wonglepong?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,185 from Tamborine Mountain and $4,446 from Wonglepong to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Tamborine Mountain and $192 from Wonglepong.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Tamborine Mountain and Wonglepong?
At 3% annual cost growth, Tamborine Mountain costs a cumulative $135,973 and Wonglepong costs $124,062 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $11,911 in favour of Wonglepong. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Tamborine Mountain and Wonglepong is best to actually live in?
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Sources: Scenic Rim Regional Council and Scenic Rim Regional 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.