Bellara vs Bongaree, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Bellara and Bongaree are both Moreton Bay Regional Council suburbs, sitting 47.2 km and 45.6 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $240 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 $2,800, about $5 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Bongaree
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bellara | Bongaree | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,309 | $1,309 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,144 | $2,144 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,762 | $6,852 | -$90 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,950 | $2,100 | -$150 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,900 | $2,200 | -$300 |
| Total (driving) | $12,165 | $12,405 | -$240 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,595 | $5,745 | -$150 |
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 | Bellara | Bongaree | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,135 | $2,135 | - |
| Unit | $1,776 | $1,776 | - |
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, Bellara vs Bongaree (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Bellara and Bongaree differ by $240 a year by car, but $150 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 $90, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $150 per year. Bongaree carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $5,595 and $5,745 a year, so the $240 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,309 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $2,144 a year.
- Driving commute favours Bellara by $90 a year, $6,762 against $6,852.
- Building insurance favours Bellara by $150 a year, $1,950 against $2,100.
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 5.9 in Bellara against 4.5 in Bongaree, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bellara cumulative | Bongaree cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,165 | $12,405 | $240 |
| Year 3 | $37,601 | $38,343 | $742 |
| Year 5 | $64,586 | $65,860 | $1,274 |
| Year 10 | $139,458 | $142,209 | $2,751 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bellara or Bongaree cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Bellara runs $12,165 a year by car and Bongaree $12,405, but most of the $240 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $90. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Bellara and Bongaree?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,309 in Bellara (Moreton Bay Regional Council) and $1,309 in Bongaree (Moreton Bay Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,144 in Bellara and $2,144 in Bongaree. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Bellara and Bongaree?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,762 from Bellara and $6,852 from Bongaree to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Bellara and $192 from Bongaree.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bellara and Bongaree?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bellara costs a cumulative $139,458 and Bongaree costs $142,209 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,751 in favour of Bellara. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bellara and Bongaree suits you better?
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Sources: Moreton Bay Regional Council and Moreton Bay Regional 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.