Burpengary East vs Deception Bay: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Burpengary East and Deception Bay are both Moreton Bay Regional Council suburbs, sitting 36.6 km and 31.9 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $237 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 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 →Burpengary East
Deception Bay
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Burpengary East | Deception Bay | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,309 | $1,309 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,144 | $2,144 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,939 | $6,702 | +$237 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,800 | $2,800 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,500 | -$400 |
| Total (driving) | $13,192 | $12,955 | +$237 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,445 | $6,445 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Burpengary East | Deception Bay | 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 — Burpengary East vs Deception Bay (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Burpengary East and Deception Bay cost within $237 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,716, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $237 per year. Burpengary East is 36.6 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, $6,445 and $6,445 a year, so the $237 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 Deception Bay by $237 a year, $6,702 against $6,939.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,800 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 5.1 in Burpengary East against 3.2 in Deception Bay, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Burpengary East cumulative | Deception Bay cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $13,192 | $12,955 | $237 |
| Year 3 | $40,775 | $40,043 | $732 |
| Year 5 | $70,038 | $68,780 | $1,258 |
| Year 10 | $151,231 | $148,515 | $2,716 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Burpengary East or Deception Bay cheaper to live in?
Deception Bay is cheaper to run by car at $12,955 per year versus $13,192 for Burpengary East, a difference of $237 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Burpengary East and Deception Bay?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,309 in Burpengary East (Moreton Bay Regional Council) and $1,309 in Deception Bay (Moreton Bay Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,144 in Burpengary East and $2,144 in Deception Bay. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Burpengary East and Deception Bay?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,939 from Burpengary East and $6,702 from Deception Bay to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Burpengary East and $192 from Deception Bay.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Burpengary East and Deception Bay?
At 3% annual cost growth, Burpengary East costs a cumulative $151,231 and Deception Bay costs $148,515 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,716 in favour of Deception Bay. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Burpengary East and Deception Bay 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.