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Map of Mount Mulligan
96.6 km from Cairns CBD
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True annual cost of living in Mount Mulligan, QLD 4871

Living in a house in Mount Mulligan costs about $9,303 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. Mount Mulligan sits 96.6 kilometres from Cairns CBD. Unit costs reach $9,373, with the $1,300 body corporate levy accounting for the entire difference between the two. The commute is costed by car to Cairns, at $4,219 a year, because no daily public transport commute is assumed here.

Last updated July 2026 · Mareeba Shire Council rates 2026-27, ATO 91c/km, AER electricity benchmarks

3 key insights

Cheaper to run than 75% of Mareeba Shire Council suburbs, about 43% below the regional average.
The commute is the biggest expense at $4,219, roughly 45% of the annual total.
The nearest state school scores 4.1/10 (ACARA ICSEA), below average for Queensland.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →
Lower cost
House annual cost
$9,303
Driving · per year
$775/month
About $179 a week to run a house here, including estimates
Unit annual cost
$9,373
Incl. body corporate
$781/month
About $180 a week to run a unit here, including estimates
House vs unit difference
+$70
Unit costs more per year

Annual cost breakdown

Council rates
Official, 2026-27 Mareeba Shire Council
$1,369
Water & sewerage
Estimated Cairns Regional Council Water & Sewerage, standing in
$1,765
Driving commute
Modelled, 2026-27 ATO 91c/km · 96.6km from Cairns CBD · 192 days
$4,219
Home insurance
Estimated flood Low · fire Low
$1,950
Total annual running cost
$9,303
($775/month, $179/week)

Excludes electricity, estimated separately below. Also excludes the state Emergency Management Levy on your rates notice, $127 a year here (levy class E, 2026-27).

↓ 43% below Mareeba Shire Council average
SuburbCost affordability score ●●●●○ 7.6/10 Good
Cheaper to run than 75% of Mareeba Shire Council suburbs. Score blends running cost (50%), schools (20%) and flood & fire risk (30%).

Estimated electricity cost

typical 2-person household
House
$2,373/yr
5,933 kWh
Unit
$1,945/yr
4,450 kWh
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for Mount Mulligan's climate zone at 2026-27 regulated prices for its electricity network. Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.

Getting around Mount Mulligan

within a 2 km walk
Nearest stop
No scheduled service within a 2 km walk of the suburb centre.
Supermarkets
0
Cafes
0
Parks
0
Counted from OpenStreetMap via Overpass inside a 2 km walking radius of the suburb centre, built 2026-11-03. Distances are straight line from that centre, so a specific address can be closer or further. Mapping is contributed and can lag a new opening.

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Frequently asked questions about Mount Mulligan

Is it cheaper to drive or take public transport from Mount Mulligan to Cairns CBD?

Public transport options are limited in Mount Mulligan; driving is the practical commute at $4,219 per year.

What are the council rates in Mount Mulligan?

Mount Mulligan falls under Mareeba Shire Council. The minimum residential general rate for 2026-27 is $1,369 per year for an owner-occupied house. Properties on higher land value pay more. Unit owners in strata schemes pay $1,369 per year. These figures cover the general rate only and exclude waste and cleansing charges. Water and sewerage on this page is Cairns Regional Council Water & Sewerage 2026-27's charge, standing in until this council's own schedule is loaded.

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

Running a unit in Mount Mulligan costs approximately $9,373 per year by car or $9,373 by public transport. This includes council rates of $1,369, water and sewerage $1,765, estimated body corporate levy of $1,300, and contents insurance of $720. Body corporate fees vary significantly between buildings. Always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.

Is Mount Mulligan close to public transport?

No scheduled public transport stop was found within a 2 km walk of the centre of Mount Mulligan. The running cost on this page assumes driving, which is why the commute component is the largest line for most suburbs in this position.

What shops and parks are in Mount Mulligan?

Within a 2 km walk of the centre of Mount Mulligan there are 0 supermarkets, 0 cafes and 0 parks. These counts come from OpenStreetMap via Overpass, which is contributed mapping and can lag a recent opening or closure.

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Data sources: Council rates: Mareeba Shire Council 2026-27. Water: Cairns Regional Council Water & Sewerage 2026-27. Commute: ATO cents per kilometre rate 2026–27 (91c/km). Insurance: estimated from ACCC 2026 premium rates for the area's cyclone risk on a standard $600,000 home, adjusted for flood and fire, disclosed as estimate. Schools: ACARA ICSEA 2025. Risk: Queensland Globe, QFES. Data last verified September 2026.
Cost estimates are for comparison purposes only and do not constitute financial, insurance, or credit advice.