Bunya vs Eatons Hill: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Bunya and Eatons Hill are both Moreton Bay Regional Council suburbs, sitting 13.8 km and 16.8 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Bunya runs $647 a year cheaper than Eatons Hill, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $7,417.
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 →Bunya
Eatons Hill
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bunya | Eatons Hill | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,309 | $1,309 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,144 | $2,144 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,991 | $4,638 | -$647 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,900 | $2,900 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,400 | $2,800 | -$400 |
| Total (driving) | $10,344 | $10,991 | -$647 |
| 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 | Bunya | Eatons Hill | 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 — Bunya vs Eatons Hill (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Bunya costs $647 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $7,417 in favour of Bunya.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $647 per year. Eatons Hill is 16.8 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 $647 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 Bunya by $647 a year, $3,991 against $4,638.
- 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 8.6 in Bunya against 7.5 in Eatons Hill, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bunya cumulative | Eatons Hill cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,344 | $10,991 | $647 |
| Year 3 | $31,972 | $33,972 | $2,000 |
| Year 5 | $54,918 | $58,353 | $3,435 |
| Year 10 | $118,582 | $125,999 | $7,417 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bunya or Eatons Hill cheaper to live in?
Bunya is cheaper to run by car at $10,344 per year versus $10,991 for Eatons Hill, a difference of $647 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Bunya and Eatons Hill?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,309 in Bunya (Moreton Bay Regional Council) and $1,309 in Eatons Hill (Moreton Bay Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,144 in Bunya and $2,144 in Eatons Hill. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Bunya and Eatons Hill?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,991 from Bunya and $4,638 from Eatons Hill to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Bunya and $192 from Eatons Hill.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bunya and Eatons Hill?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bunya costs a cumulative $118,582 and Eatons Hill costs $125,999 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $7,417 in favour of Bunya. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bunya and Eatons Hill 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.
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 AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.