Cannon Hill vs Carina, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/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 $351 a year cheaper than Cannon Hill, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,024.
Over 10 years the gap between these two is about $4,000, about $8 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Carina
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Cannon Hill | Carina | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $950 | $950 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,204 | $2,403 | -$199 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,000 | $1,450 | +$550 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,800 | $2,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $7,054 | $6,703 | +$351 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,042 | $4,492 | +$550 |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Cannon Hill | Carina | 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, Cannon Hill vs Carina (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Cannon Hill and Carina differ by $351 a year by car, but $550 of that is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On the sourced costs, council rates, water and the commute, the gap is $199, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $550 per year. Cannon Hill carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $550 per year, $5,042 from Cannon Hill versus $4,492 from Carina.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $950 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,900 a year.
- Driving commute favours Cannon Hill by $199 a year, $2,204 against $2,403.
- Building insurance favours Carina by $550 a year, $1,450 against $2,000.
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 high in Cannon Hill against low in Carina, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated high in Cannon Hill against medium in Carina, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Cannon Hill cumulative | Carina cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,054 | $6,703 | $351 |
| Year 3 | $21,803 | $20,718 | $1,085 |
| Year 5 | $37,451 | $35,587 | $1,864 |
| Year 10 | $80,866 | $76,842 | $4,024 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cannon Hill or Carina cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Cannon Hill runs $7,054 a year by car and Carina $6,703, but most of the $351 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $199. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Cannon Hill and Carina?
Annual council rates for a house are $950 in Cannon Hill (Brisbane City Council) and $950 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 $2,204 from Cannon Hill and $2,403 from Carina to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/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 $80,866 and Carina costs $76,842 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,024 in favour of Carina. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Cannon Hill and Carina suits you better?
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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 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.