Caboolture 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
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.
Narangba runs $995 a year cheaper than Caboolture, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $11,406.
Over 10 years, Narangba costs about $11,400 less to run than Caboolture — the same as paying $11,400 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Narangba
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Caboolture | Narangba | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,309 | $1,309 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,144 | $2,144 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,857 | $6,762 | +$95 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,800 | $2,900 | +$900 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,000 | $2,200 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $14,110 | $13,115 | +$995 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,445 | $6,545 | +$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 | 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 — Caboolture vs Narangba (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Narangba costs $995 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $11,406 in favour of Narangba.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $900 per year. Caboolture carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $900 per year, $7,445 from Caboolture versus $6,545 from Narangba.
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 $95 a year, $6,762 against $6,857.
- Building insurance favours Narangba by $900 a year, $2,900 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 Narangba, which feeds the insurance estimate. The catchment state school scores 6.4 in Narangba against 4.5 in Caboolture, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Caboolture cumulative | Narangba cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $14,110 | $13,115 | $995 |
| Year 3 | $43,613 | $40,537 | $3,076 |
| Year 5 | $74,912 | $69,629 | $5,283 |
| Year 10 | $161,755 | $150,349 | $11,406 |
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 $13,115 per year versus $14,110 for Caboolture, a difference of $995 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Caboolture and Narangba?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,309 in Caboolture (Moreton Bay Regional Council) and $1,309 in Narangba (Moreton Bay Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,144 in Caboolture 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 Caboolture and Narangba?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,857 from Caboolture and $6,762 from Narangba to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). 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 $161,755 and Narangba costs $150,349 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $11,406 in favour of Narangba. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Caboolture 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.