Campbells Pocket vs Wamuran Basin: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Campbells Pocket and Wamuran Basin are both Moreton Bay Regional Council suburbs, sitting 48.6 km and 51 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $106 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 →Campbells Pocket
Wamuran Basin
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Campbells Pocket | Wamuran Basin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,309 | $1,309 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,144 | $2,144 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,666 | $6,460 | +$206 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,000 | $3,100 | -$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $13,119 | $13,013 | +$106 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,645 | $6,745 | -$100 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Campbells Pocket | Wamuran Basin | 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 — Campbells Pocket vs Wamuran Basin (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Campbells Pocket and Wamuran Basin cost within $106 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,216, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $206 per year. Wamuran Basin is 51 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, $6,645 and $6,745 a year, so the $106 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 Wamuran Basin by $206 a year, $6,460 against $6,666.
- Building insurance favours Campbells Pocket by $100 a year, $3,000 against $3,100.
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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Campbells Pocket cumulative | Wamuran Basin cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $13,119 | $13,013 | $106 |
| Year 3 | $40,550 | $40,222 | $328 |
| Year 5 | $69,651 | $69,088 | $563 |
| Year 10 | $150,395 | $149,179 | $1,216 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Campbells Pocket or Wamuran Basin cheaper to live in?
Wamuran Basin is cheaper to run by car at $13,013 per year versus $13,119 for Campbells Pocket, a difference of $106 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Campbells Pocket and Wamuran Basin?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,309 in Campbells Pocket (Moreton Bay Regional Council) and $1,309 in Wamuran Basin (Moreton Bay Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,144 in Campbells Pocket and $2,144 in Wamuran Basin. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Campbells Pocket and Wamuran Basin?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,666 from Campbells Pocket and $6,460 from Wamuran Basin to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Campbells Pocket and $192 from Wamuran Basin.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Campbells Pocket and Wamuran Basin?
At 3% annual cost growth, Campbells Pocket costs a cumulative $150,395 and Wamuran Basin costs $149,179 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,216 in favour of Wamuran Basin. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Campbells Pocket and Wamuran Basin 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.