Bongaree vs Sandstone Point, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Bongaree and Sandstone Point are both Moreton Bay Regional Council suburbs, sitting 45.6 km and 45 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $122 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 $1,400, about $3 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Sandstone Point
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bongaree | Sandstone Point | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,309 | $1,309 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,144 | $2,144 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,852 | $6,880 | -$28 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,100 | $1,950 | +$150 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,200 | $2,000 | +$200 |
| Total (driving) | $12,405 | $12,283 | +$122 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,745 | $5,595 | +$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 | Bongaree | Sandstone Point | 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, Bongaree vs Sandstone Point (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Bongaree and Sandstone Point differ by $122 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 $28, 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, $5,745 and $5,595 a year, so the $122 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 Bongaree by $28 a year, $6,852 against $6,880.
- Building insurance favours Sandstone Point 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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bongaree cumulative | Sandstone Point cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,405 | $12,283 | $122 |
| Year 3 | $38,343 | $37,966 | $377 |
| Year 5 | $65,860 | $65,212 | $648 |
| Year 10 | $142,209 | $140,811 | $1,398 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bongaree or Sandstone Point cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Bongaree runs $12,405 a year by car and Sandstone Point $12,283, but most of the $122 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $28. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Bongaree and Sandstone Point?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,309 in Bongaree (Moreton Bay Regional Council) and $1,309 in Sandstone Point (Moreton Bay Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,144 in Bongaree and $2,144 in Sandstone Point. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Bongaree and Sandstone Point?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,852 from Bongaree and $6,880 from Sandstone Point to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Bongaree and $192 from Sandstone Point.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bongaree and Sandstone Point?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bongaree costs a cumulative $142,209 and Sandstone Point costs $140,811 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,398 in favour of Sandstone Point. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bongaree and Sandstone Point 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.