Annandale vs Murray: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Annandale and Murray are both Townsville City Council suburbs, sitting 6.6 km and 8.6 km from Townsville CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $166 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. 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 →Annandale
Murray
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Annandale | Murray | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,343 | $1,343 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,099 | $2,099 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,116 | $2,682 | -$566 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $4,600 | $4,200 | +$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,200 | $2,200 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,158 | $10,324 | -$166 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,234 | $7,834 | +$400 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Annandale | Murray | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,373 | $2,373 | - |
| Unit | $1,945 | $1,945 | - |
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 — Annandale vs Murray (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Annandale and Murray cost within $166 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,903, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $566 per year. Murray is 8.6 km from Townsville CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $8,234 from Annandale versus $7,834 from Murray.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,343 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $2,099 a year.
- Driving commute favours Annandale by $566 a year, $2,116 against $2,682.
- Building insurance favours Murray by $400 a year, $4,200 against $4,600.
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 6.5 in Annandale against 1.7 in Murray, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Annandale cumulative | Murray cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,158 | $10,324 | $166 |
| Year 3 | $31,397 | $31,910 | $513 |
| Year 5 | $53,930 | $54,812 | $882 |
| Year 10 | $116,450 | $118,353 | $1,903 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Annandale or Murray cheaper to live in?
Annandale is cheaper to run by car at $10,158 per year versus $10,324 for Murray, a difference of $166 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Annandale and Murray?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,343 in Annandale (Townsville City Council) and $1,343 in Murray (Townsville City Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,099 in Annandale and $2,099 in Murray. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Annandale and Murray?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,116 from Annandale and $2,682 from Murray to Townsville CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Annandale and $192 from Murray.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Annandale and Murray?
At 3% annual cost growth, Annandale costs a cumulative $116,450 and Murray costs $118,353 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,903 in favour of Annandale. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Annandale and Murray 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: Townsville City Council and Townsville 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.