Caboolture vs Caboolture South: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/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 $1,799 a year cheaper than Caboolture, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $20,623.
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.
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Caboolture South
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Caboolture | Caboolture South | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,636 | $1,636 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,144 | $2,144 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,631 | $6,732 | -$101 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,800 | $1,900 | +$1,900 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,000 | $2,000 | - |
| Total (driving) | $14,211 | $12,412 | +$1,799 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,772 | $5,872 | +$1,900 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Caboolture | Caboolture South | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $1,976 | $1,976 | - |
| Unit | $1,591 | $1,591 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2025 rates (QLD 30c/kWh, NSW 33c/kWh incl. supply charge; 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 $1,799 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $20,623 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, $7,772 from Caboolture versus $5,872 from Caboolture South.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Caboolture cumulative | Caboolture South cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $14,211 | $12,412 | $1,799 |
| Year 3 | $43,925 | $38,364 | $5,561 |
| Year 5 | $75,448 | $65,897 | $9,551 |
| Year 10 | $162,913 | $142,290 | $20,623 |
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 $12,412 per year versus $14,211 for Caboolture, a difference of $1,799 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Caboolture and Caboolture South?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,636 in Caboolture (Moreton Bay Regional Council) and $1,636 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 $6,631 from Caboolture and $6,732 from Caboolture South to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/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 $162,913 and Caboolture South costs $142,290 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $20,623 in favour of Caboolture South. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Caboolture and Caboolture South is best to actually live in?
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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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.