Annual cost of living in Mount Garnet, QLD 4872

Living in a house in Mount Garnet costs about $27,330 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. Mount Garnet sits 109.9 kilometres from Brisbane CBD. Unit costs come in at $22,790, as lower council rates more than offset the $1,500 body corporate levy. At 109.9km, the commute dominates running costs. Drivers pay $17,408 more per year than public transport users.

Last updated July 2026 · Cairns Regional Council rates 2026-27, ATO 88c/km, AER electricity benchmarks

3 key insights

Costs 59% more to run than the Cairns Regional Council average, cheaper than only 20% of suburbs in the region.

The commute is the biggest expense at $17,600, roughly 64% of the annual total.

Switching from driving to public transport saves $17,408 a year, a significant saving at this distance.

Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →

House annual cost

$27,330

Driving · per year

$2,278/month

Lower cost

Unit annual cost

$22,790

Incl. body corporate

$1,899/month

House vs unit difference

−$4,540

Unit is cheaper per year

Annual cost breakdown

Council rates

Cairns Regional Council 2026-27 · minimum rate

$1,165

Water & sewerage

Cairns Regional Council Water & Sewerage 2026-27

$1,765

Driving commute

ATO 88c/km · 109.9km from CBD · 192 days

$17,600

Home insurance

Estimated · flood Low · fire Low

$6,800

Total annual running cost

$27,330

($2,278/month)

↑ 59% above Cairns Regional Council average

SuburbCost affordability score ●●○○○ 4.2/10 Poor

Cheaper to run than 20% of Cairns Regional Council suburbs. Score blends running cost (50%), schools (20%) and flood & fire risk (30%).

Estimated electricity cost typical 2-person household

House

$2,218/yr

5,933 kWh

Unit

$1,773/yr

4,450 kWh

Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for Mount Garnet's climate zone at 2025 rates. Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.

Compare Mount Garnet with another suburb

Nearby: No nearby suburbs with data found

Is it cheaper to drive or take public transport from Mount Garnet to the CBD?

Public transport saves Mount Garnet residents $17,408 per year. Annual commute cost by car is $17,600 versus $192 by public transport using Translink's flat 50 cent fare.

What are the council rates in Mount Garnet?

Mount Garnet falls under Cairns Regional Council. The minimum residential general rate for 2026-27 is $1,165 per year for an owner-occupied house. Properties on higher land value pay more. Unit owners in strata schemes pay $1,165 per year. These figures cover the general rate only and exclude waste and cleansing charges.

What does it cost to run a unit in Mount Garnet?

Running a unit in Mount Garnet costs approximately $22,790 per year by car or $5,382 by public transport. This includes council rates of $1,165, water and sewerage $1,765, estimated body corporate levy of $1,500, and contents insurance of $760. Body corporate fees vary significantly between buildings. Always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.

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Data sources: Council rates: Cairns Regional Council 2026-27. Water: Cairns Regional Council Water & Sewerage 2026-27. Commute: ATO cents per kilometre rate 2025–26 (88c/km). Insurance: AI-estimated, disclosed as estimate. Schools: ACARA ICSEA 2025. Risk: Queensland Globe, QFES. Data updated 2026-07.
Cost estimates are for comparison purposes only and do not constitute financial, insurance, or credit advice.

True annual cost of living in Mount Garnet, QLD 4872

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