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.
Cannon Hill runs $473 a year cheaper than Murarrie, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,423.
Over 10 years, Cannon Hill costs about $5,400 less to run than Murarrie. That's about $10 a week.
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Murarrie
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Cannon Hill | Murarrie | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $950 | $950 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,204 | $2,627 | -$423 |
| 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 | $7,527 | -$473 |
| 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 | 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 costs $473 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,423 in favour of Cannon Hill.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $423 per year. Murarrie is 8.4 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 $473 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 Cannon Hill by $423 a year, $2,204 against $2,627.
- 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.
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 | $7,054 | $7,527 | $473 |
| Year 3 | $21,803 | $23,265 | $1,462 |
| Year 5 | $37,451 | $39,962 | $2,511 |
| Year 10 | $80,866 | $86,289 | $5,423 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cannon Hill or Murarrie cheaper to live in?
Cannon Hill is cheaper to run by car at $7,054 per year versus $7,527 for Murarrie, a difference of $473 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 $80,866 and Murarrie costs $86,289 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,423 in favour of Cannon Hill. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Cannon Hill and Murarrie 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.