Cannon Hill vs Murarrie: 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 Murarrie are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 6.9 km and 8.4 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $177 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 →Cannon Hill
Murarrie
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Cannon Hill | Murarrie | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $950 | $950 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,204 | $2,627 | -$423 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,600 | $2,000 | +$600 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,800 | $3,000 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $7,654 | $7,477 | +$177 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,642 | $5,042 | +$600 |
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 | Murarrie | 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 Murarrie (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Cannon Hill and Murarrie cost within $177 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,030, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $600 per year. Cannon Hill carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $600 per year, $5,642 from Cannon Hill versus $5,042 from Murarrie.
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 $423 a year, $2,204 against $2,627.
- Building insurance favours Murarrie by $600 a year, $2,000 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.
Fire risk is rated high in Cannon Hill against medium in Murarrie, which feeds the insurance estimate. The catchment state school scores 7.3 in Cannon Hill against 4.9 in Murarrie, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Cannon Hill cumulative | Murarrie cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,654 | $7,477 | $177 |
| Year 3 | $23,658 | $23,111 | $547 |
| Year 5 | $40,636 | $39,696 | $940 |
| Year 10 | $87,745 | $85,715 | $2,030 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cannon Hill or Murarrie cheaper to live in?
Murarrie is cheaper to run by car at $7,477 per year versus $7,654 for Cannon Hill, a difference of $177 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 Murarrie?
Annual council rates for a house are $950 in Cannon Hill (Brisbane City Council) and $950 in Murarrie (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Cannon Hill and $1,900 in Murarrie. 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 Murarrie?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,204 from Cannon Hill and $2,627 from Murarrie to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Cannon Hill and $192 from Murarrie.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Cannon Hill and Murarrie?
At 3% annual cost growth, Cannon Hill costs a cumulative $87,745 and Murarrie costs $85,715 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,030 in favour of Murarrie. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Cannon Hill and Murarrie 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 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.