Caboolture vs Narangba: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Caboolture and Narangba are both Moreton Bay Regional Council suburbs, sitting 45.5 km and 32.8 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Caboolture
Narangba
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Caboolture | Narangba | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,577 | $1,577 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,074 | $2,074 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $13,200 | $11,880 | +$1,320 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,800 | $2,900 | +$900 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,000 | $2,200 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $20,651 | $18,431 | +$2,220 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,643 | $6,743 | +$900 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary.
Cost breakdown chart
Annual cost breakdown — Caboolture vs Narangba (2025-26)
What the numbers show
Narangba costs $2,220 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $25,450 in favour of Narangba.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $1,320 per year. Caboolture is 45.5 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the gap shifts to $900 per year. Both suburbs pay a flat PT fare, so the difference in total PT cost reflects council rates and insurance rather than commute distance.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Caboolture cumulative | Narangba cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $20,651 | $18,431 | $2,220 |
| Year 3 | $63,830 | $56,968 | $6,862 |
| Year 5 | $109,639 | $97,853 | $11,786 |
| Year 10 | $236,741 | $211,291 | $25,450 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Caboolture or Narangba cheaper to live in?
Narangba is cheaper to run by car at $18,431 per year versus $20,651 for Caboolture — a difference of $2,220 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2025-26 data.
What are council rates in Caboolture and Narangba?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,577 in Caboolture (Moreton Bay Regional Council 2025-26) and $1,577 in Narangba (Moreton Bay Regional Council 2025-26). Water and sewerage adds $2,074 in Caboolture and $2,074 in Narangba.
How does the commute cost compare between Caboolture and Narangba?
Annual driving commute costs are $13,200 from Caboolture and $11,880 from Narangba to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km, 220 working days). Public transport costs $192 from Caboolture and $192 from Narangba.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Caboolture and Narangba?
At 3% annual cost growth, Caboolture costs a cumulative $236,741 and Narangba costs $211,291 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $25,450 in favour of Narangba. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Compare Caboolture and Narangba in the tool
The SuburbCost comparison tool shows the full annual cost breakdown for both suburbs side by side. Toggle between driving and public transport to see which suburb comes out ahead for your commuting pattern.
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Sources: Moreton Bay Regional Council and Moreton Bay Regional Council rate schedules 2025-26, Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater 2025-26, ATO 88c/km, SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2025.