Bracalba vs D'Aguilar, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Bracalba and D'Aguilar are both Moreton Bay Regional Council suburbs, sitting 55.2 km and 58.4 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
D'Aguilar runs $419 a year cheaper than Bracalba, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,804.
Over 10 years, D'Aguilar costs about $4,800 less to run than Bracalba. That's about $9 a week.
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D'Aguilar
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bracalba | D'Aguilar | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,309 | $1,309 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,144 | $2,144 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $5,979 | $5,510 | +$469 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,150 | $2,200 | -$50 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,600 | $1,800 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $11,582 | $11,163 | +$419 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,795 | $5,845 | -$50 |
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 | Bracalba | D'Aguilar | 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, Bracalba vs D'Aguilar (2026-27)
What the numbers show
D'Aguilar costs $419 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,804 in favour of D'Aguilar.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $469 per year. D'Aguilar is 58.4 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, $5,795 and $5,845 a year, so the $419 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 D'Aguilar by $469 a year, $5,510 against $5,979.
- Building insurance favours Bracalba by $50 a year, $2,150 against $2,200.
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 | Bracalba cumulative | D'Aguilar cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,582 | $11,163 | $419 |
| Year 3 | $35,799 | $34,504 | $1,295 |
| Year 5 | $61,490 | $59,266 | $2,224 |
| Year 10 | $132,775 | $127,971 | $4,804 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bracalba or D'Aguilar cheaper to live in?
D'Aguilar is cheaper to run by car at $11,163 per year versus $11,582 for Bracalba, a difference of $419 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Bracalba and D'Aguilar?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,309 in Bracalba (Moreton Bay Regional Council) and $1,309 in D'Aguilar (Moreton Bay Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,144 in Bracalba and $2,144 in D'Aguilar. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Bracalba and D'Aguilar?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,979 from Bracalba and $5,510 from D'Aguilar to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Bracalba and $192 from D'Aguilar.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bracalba and D'Aguilar?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bracalba costs a cumulative $132,775 and D'Aguilar costs $127,971 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,804 in favour of D'Aguilar. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bracalba and D'Aguilar 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.