Brendale vs Warner, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Brendale and Warner are both Moreton Bay Regional Council suburbs, sitting 16.9 km and 19 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $255 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 $2,900, about $6 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict → Personalise this comparison with your own commute, home type and loan → Neither quite right? Find the Brisbane suburbs that fit your budget →Brendale
Warner
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Brendale | Warner | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,309 | $1,309 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,144 | $2,144 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $4,658 | $5,063 | -$405 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,150 | $2,000 | +$150 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,600 | $2,200 | +$400 |
| Total (driving) | $10,261 | $10,516 | -$255 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,795 | $5,645 | +$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 | Brendale | Warner | 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, Brendale vs Warner (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Brendale and Warner differ by $255 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 $405, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $405 per year. Warner is 19 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 $5,645 a year, so the $255 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 Brendale by $405 a year, $4,658 against $5,063.
- Building insurance favours Warner by $150 a year, $2,000 against $2,150.
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.
Flood risk is rated medium in Brendale against low in Warner, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated high in Warner against medium in Brendale, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Brendale cumulative | Warner cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,261 | $10,516 | $255 |
| Year 3 | $31,716 | $32,504 | $788 |
| Year 5 | $54,477 | $55,831 | $1,354 |
| Year 10 | $117,631 | $120,554 | $2,923 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Brendale or Warner cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Brendale runs $10,261 a year by car and Warner $10,516, but most of the $255 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $405. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Brendale and Warner?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,309 in Brendale (Moreton Bay Regional Council) and $1,309 in Warner (Moreton Bay Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,144 in Brendale and $2,144 in Warner. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Brendale and Warner?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,658 from Brendale and $5,063 from Warner to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Brendale and $192 from Warner.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Brendale and Warner?
At 3% annual cost growth, Brendale costs a cumulative $117,631 and Warner costs $120,554 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,923 in favour of Brendale. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Brendale and Warner suits you better?
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.
Related comparisons
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.