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 $485 a year cheaper than Cannon Hill, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,560.
Over 10 years, Morningside costs about $5,600 less to run than Cannon Hill. That's about $11 a week.
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Morningside
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Cannon Hill | Morningside | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $950 | $950 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,204 | $1,669 | +$535 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,000 | $2,050 | -$50 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,800 | $3,000 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $7,054 | $6,569 | +$485 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,042 | $5,092 | -$50 |
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 | 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 $485 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,560 in favour of Morningside.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $535 per year. Cannon Hill is 6.9 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, $5,042 and $5,092 a year, so the $485 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
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 Cannon Hill by $50 a year, $2,000 against $2,050.
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 | $7,054 | $6,569 | $485 |
| Year 3 | $21,803 | $20,304 | $1,499 |
| Year 5 | $37,451 | $34,876 | $2,575 |
| Year 10 | $80,866 | $75,306 | $5,560 |
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 $6,569 per year versus $7,054 for Cannon Hill, a difference of $485 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 $80,866 and Morningside costs $75,306 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,560 in favour of Morningside. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Cannon Hill and Morningside 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.