Bray Park vs Petrie: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Bray Park and Petrie are both Moreton Bay Regional Council suburbs, sitting 20.5 km and 23.4 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Bray Park runs $1,257 a year cheaper than Petrie, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $14,410.
Over 10 years, Bray Park costs about $14,400 less to run than Petrie — the same as paying $14,400 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Petrie
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bray Park | Petrie | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,309 | $1,309 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,144 | $2,144 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,328 | $5,785 | -$457 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,000 | $2,800 | -$800 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,800 | -$500 |
| Total (driving) | $10,781 | $12,038 | -$1,257 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,645 | $6,445 | -$800 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Bray Park | Petrie | 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 — Bray Park vs Petrie (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Bray Park costs $1,257 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $14,410 in favour of Bray Park.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $800 per year.
On public transport the gap is $800 per year, $5,645 from Bray Park versus $6,445 from Petrie.
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 Bray Park by $457 a year, $5,328 against $5,785.
- Building insurance favours Bray Park by $800 a year, $2,000 against $2,800.
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.
Fire risk is rated high in Petrie against medium in Bray Park, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bray Park cumulative | Petrie cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,781 | $12,038 | $1,257 |
| Year 3 | $33,323 | $37,208 | $3,885 |
| Year 5 | $57,238 | $63,911 | $6,673 |
| Year 10 | $123,592 | $138,002 | $14,410 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bray Park or Petrie cheaper to live in?
Bray Park is cheaper to run by car at $10,781 per year versus $12,038 for Petrie, a difference of $1,257 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Bray Park and Petrie?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,309 in Bray Park (Moreton Bay Regional Council) and $1,309 in Petrie (Moreton Bay Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,144 in Bray Park and $2,144 in Petrie. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Bray Park and Petrie?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,328 from Bray Park and $5,785 from Petrie to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Bray Park and $192 from Petrie.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bray Park and Petrie?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bray Park costs a cumulative $123,592 and Petrie costs $138,002 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $14,410 in favour of Bray Park. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bray Park and Petrie 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.