Cannon Hill vs Morningside: 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 Morningside are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 6.9 km and 5.1 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Morningside runs $1,335 a year cheaper than Cannon Hill, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $15,305.
Over 10 years, Morningside costs about $15,300 less to run than Cannon Hill — the same as paying $15,300 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Cannon Hill
Morningside
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Cannon Hill | Morningside | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $950 | $950 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,204 | $1,669 | +$535 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,600 | $1,800 | +$800 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,800 | $3,000 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $7,654 | $6,319 | +$1,335 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,642 | $4,842 | +$800 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Cannon Hill | Morningside | 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 Morningside (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Morningside costs $1,335 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $15,305 in favour of Morningside.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $800 per year. Cannon Hill carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $800 per year, $5,642 from Cannon Hill versus $4,842 from Morningside.
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 Morningside by $535 a year, $1,669 against $2,204.
- Building insurance favours Morningside by $800 a year, $1,800 against $2,600.
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 medium in Morningside, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated high in Cannon Hill against medium in Morningside, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Cannon Hill cumulative | Morningside cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,654 | $6,319 | $1,335 |
| Year 3 | $23,658 | $19,531 | $4,127 |
| Year 5 | $40,636 | $33,548 | $7,088 |
| Year 10 | $87,745 | $72,440 | $15,305 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cannon Hill or Morningside cheaper to live in?
Morningside is cheaper to run by car at $6,319 per year versus $7,654 for Cannon Hill, a difference of $1,335 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Cannon Hill and Morningside?
Annual council rates for a house are $950 in Cannon Hill (Brisbane City Council) and $950 in Morningside (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Cannon Hill and $1,900 in Morningside. 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 Morningside?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,204 from Cannon Hill and $1,669 from Morningside to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Cannon Hill and $192 from Morningside.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Cannon Hill and Morningside?
At 3% annual cost growth, Cannon Hill costs a cumulative $87,745 and Morningside costs $72,440 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $15,305 in favour of Morningside. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Cannon Hill and Morningside 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: 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 AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.