Bellmere vs Moodlu: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Bellmere and Moodlu are both Moreton Bay Regional Council suburbs, sitting 44.9 km and 47.5 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $141 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 →Bellmere
Moodlu
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bellmere | Moodlu | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,309 | $1,309 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,144 | $2,144 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,884 | $6,743 | +$141 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,900 | $2,900 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,000 | $1,700 | +$300 |
| Total (driving) | $13,237 | $13,096 | +$141 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,545 | $6,545 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Bellmere | Moodlu | 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 — Bellmere vs Moodlu (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Bellmere and Moodlu cost within $141 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,616, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $141 per year. Moodlu is 47.5 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $6,545 and $6,545 a year, so the $141 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 Moodlu by $141 a year, $6,743 against $6,884.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,900 a year.
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.
The catchment state school scores 4.7 in Bellmere against 3.4 in Moodlu, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bellmere cumulative | Moodlu cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $13,237 | $13,096 | $141 |
| Year 3 | $40,914 | $40,478 | $436 |
| Year 5 | $70,277 | $69,528 | $749 |
| Year 10 | $151,747 | $150,131 | $1,616 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bellmere or Moodlu cheaper to live in?
Moodlu is cheaper to run by car at $13,096 per year versus $13,237 for Bellmere, a difference of $141 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Bellmere and Moodlu?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,309 in Bellmere (Moreton Bay Regional Council) and $1,309 in Moodlu (Moreton Bay Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,144 in Bellmere and $2,144 in Moodlu. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Bellmere and Moodlu?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,884 from Bellmere and $6,743 from Moodlu to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Bellmere and $192 from Moodlu.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bellmere and Moodlu?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bellmere costs a cumulative $151,747 and Moodlu costs $150,131 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,616 in favour of Moodlu. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bellmere and Moodlu 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: 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 AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.