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 $266 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 the gap between these two is about $3,100, about $6 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Murray
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Annandale | Murray | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,343 | $1,343 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,099 | $2,099 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,116 | $2,682 | -$566 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $3,900 | $3,600 | +$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,200 | $2,200 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,458 | $9,724 | -$266 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,534 | $7,234 | +$300 |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; 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 differ by $266 a year by car, but $300 of that is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On the sourced costs, council rates, water and the commute, the gap is $566, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
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 $300 per year, $7,534 from Annandale versus $7,234 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 $300 a year, $3,600 against $3,900.
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 | $9,458 | $9,724 | $266 |
| Year 3 | $29,234 | $30,056 | $822 |
| Year 5 | $50,214 | $51,626 | $1,412 |
| Year 10 | $108,425 | $111,475 | $3,050 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Annandale or Murray cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Annandale runs $9,458 a year by car and Murray $9,724, but most of the $266 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $566. 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 $108,425 and Murray costs $111,475 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,050 in favour of Annandale. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Annandale and Murray suits you better?
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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 insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.