Cannon Hill vs Carina: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Cannon Hill and Carina are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 6.9 km and 7.6 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Carina runs $507 a year cheaper than Cannon Hill, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,812.
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 →Cannon Hill
Carina
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Cannon Hill | Carina | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,579 | $1,579 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,131 | $2,324 | -$193 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,600 | $1,900 | +$700 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,800 | $2,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $8,210 | $7,703 | +$507 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,271 | $5,571 | +$700 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Cannon Hill | Carina | 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 — Cannon Hill vs Carina (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Carina costs $507 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,812 in favour of Carina.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $700 per year. Cannon Hill carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $700 per year, $6,271 from Cannon Hill versus $5,571 from Carina.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Cannon Hill cumulative | Carina cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,210 | $7,703 | $507 |
| Year 3 | $25,376 | $23,809 | $1,567 |
| Year 5 | $43,588 | $40,896 | $2,692 |
| Year 10 | $94,118 | $88,306 | $5,812 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cannon Hill or Carina cheaper to live in?
Carina is cheaper to run by car at $7,703 per year versus $8,210 for Cannon Hill, a difference of $507 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Cannon Hill and Carina?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,579 in Cannon Hill (Brisbane City Council) and $1,579 in Carina (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Cannon Hill and $1,900 in Carina. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Cannon Hill and Carina?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,131 from Cannon Hill and $2,324 from Carina to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Cannon Hill and $192 from Carina.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Cannon Hill and Carina?
At 3% annual cost growth, Cannon Hill costs a cumulative $94,118 and Carina costs $88,306 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,812 in favour of Carina. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Cannon Hill and Carina 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.
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Sources: Brisbane City Council and Brisbane City 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.