Caboolture vs Caboolture South: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Caboolture and Caboolture South are both Moreton Bay Regional Council suburbs, sitting 45.5 km and 42.5 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Caboolture South runs $1,795 a year cheaper than Caboolture, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $20,577.
Over 10 years, Caboolture South costs about $20,600 less to run than Caboolture — the same as paying $20,600 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Caboolture
Caboolture South
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Caboolture | Caboolture South | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,309 | $1,309 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,144 | $2,144 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,857 | $6,962 | -$105 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,800 | $1,900 | +$1,900 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,000 | $2,000 | - |
| Total (driving) | $14,110 | $12,315 | +$1,795 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,445 | $5,545 | +$1,900 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Caboolture | Caboolture South | 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 — Caboolture vs Caboolture South (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Caboolture South costs $1,795 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $20,577 in favour of Caboolture South.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $1,900 per year. Caboolture carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $1,900 per year, $7,445 from Caboolture versus $5,545 from Caboolture South.
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 Caboolture by $105 a year, $6,857 against $6,962.
- Building insurance favours Caboolture South by $1,900 a year, $1,900 against $3,800.
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.
Flood risk is rated medium in Caboolture against low in Caboolture South, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated high in Caboolture against medium in Caboolture South, which feeds the insurance estimate. The catchment state school scores 4.5 in Caboolture against 3.2 in Caboolture South, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Caboolture cumulative | Caboolture South cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $14,110 | $12,315 | $1,795 |
| Year 3 | $43,613 | $38,064 | $5,549 |
| Year 5 | $74,912 | $65,382 | $9,530 |
| Year 10 | $161,755 | $141,178 | $20,577 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Caboolture or Caboolture South cheaper to live in?
Caboolture South is cheaper to run by car at $12,315 per year versus $14,110 for Caboolture, a difference of $1,795 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Caboolture and Caboolture South?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,309 in Caboolture (Moreton Bay Regional Council) and $1,309 in Caboolture South (Moreton Bay Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,144 in Caboolture and $2,144 in Caboolture South. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Caboolture and Caboolture South?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,857 from Caboolture and $6,962 from Caboolture South to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Caboolture and $192 from Caboolture South.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Caboolture and Caboolture South?
At 3% annual cost growth, Caboolture costs a cumulative $161,755 and Caboolture South costs $141,178 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $20,577 in favour of Caboolture South. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Caboolture and Caboolture South 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.