Carina Heights vs Carindale: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Carina Heights and Carindale are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 7.7 km and 9.9 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Carina Heights runs $499 a year cheaper than Carindale, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,721.
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 →Carina Heights
Carindale
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Carina Heights | Carindale | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $950 | $950 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,432 | $3,031 | -$599 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,900 | $2,800 | +$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,700 | $2,900 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $8,182 | $8,681 | -$499 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,942 | $5,842 | +$100 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Carina Heights | Carindale | 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 — Carina Heights vs Carindale (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Carina Heights costs $499 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,721 in favour of Carina Heights.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $599 per year. Carindale is 9.9 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, $5,942 and $5,842 a year, so the $499 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 Carina Heights by $599 a year, $2,432 against $3,031.
- Building insurance favours Carindale by $100 a year, $2,800 against $2,900.
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 medium in Carindale against low in Carina Heights, which feeds the insurance estimate. The catchment state school scores 9.2 in Carindale against 6.9 in Carina Heights, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Carina Heights cumulative | Carindale cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,182 | $8,681 | $499 |
| Year 3 | $25,290 | $26,832 | $1,542 |
| Year 5 | $43,439 | $46,089 | $2,650 |
| Year 10 | $93,797 | $99,518 | $5,721 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Carina Heights or Carindale cheaper to live in?
Carina Heights is cheaper to run by car at $8,182 per year versus $8,681 for Carindale, a difference of $499 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Carina Heights and Carindale?
Annual council rates for a house are $950 in Carina Heights (Brisbane City Council) and $950 in Carindale (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Carina Heights and $1,900 in Carindale. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Carina Heights and Carindale?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,432 from Carina Heights and $3,031 from Carindale to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Carina Heights and $192 from Carindale.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Carina Heights and Carindale?
At 3% annual cost growth, Carina Heights costs a cumulative $93,797 and Carindale costs $99,518 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,721 in favour of Carina Heights. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Carina Heights and Carindale 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.