Burpengary vs Narangba: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Burpengary and Narangba are both Moreton Bay Regional Council suburbs, sitting 35.2 km and 32.8 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $26 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
Narangba
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Burpengary | Narangba | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,309 | $1,309 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,144 | $2,144 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,888 | $6,762 | +$126 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,800 | $2,900 | -$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,200 | $2,200 | - |
| Total (driving) | $13,141 | $13,115 | +$26 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,445 | $6,545 | -$100 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Burpengary | Narangba | 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 vs Narangba (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Burpengary and Narangba cost within $26 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $298, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $126 per year. Burpengary is 35.2 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 $6,545 a year, so the $26 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 Narangba by $126 a year, $6,762 against $6,888.
- Building insurance favours Burpengary by $100 a year, $2,800 against $2,900.
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.
The catchment state school scores 6.4 in Narangba against 5 in Burpengary, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Burpengary cumulative | Narangba cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $13,141 | $13,115 | $26 |
| Year 3 | $40,618 | $40,537 | $81 |
| Year 5 | $69,767 | $69,629 | $138 |
| Year 10 | $150,647 | $150,349 | $298 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Burpengary or Narangba cheaper to live in?
Narangba is cheaper to run by car at $13,115 per year versus $13,141 for Burpengary, a difference of $26 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Burpengary and Narangba?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,309 in Burpengary (Moreton Bay Regional Council) and $1,309 in Narangba (Moreton Bay Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,144 in Burpengary and $2,144 in Narangba. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Burpengary and Narangba?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,888 from Burpengary and $6,762 from Narangba to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Burpengary and $192 from Narangba.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Burpengary and Narangba?
At 3% annual cost growth, Burpengary costs a cumulative $150,647 and Narangba costs $150,349 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $298 in favour of Narangba. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Burpengary and Narangba 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.