Carina vs Carina Heights: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Carina and Carina Heights are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 7.6 km and 7.7 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Carina runs $1,029 a year cheaper than Carina Heights, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $11,796.
Over 10 years, Carina costs about $11,800 less to run than Carina Heights — the same as paying $11,800 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Carina Heights
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Carina | Carina Heights | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $950 | $950 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,403 | $2,432 | -$29 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,900 | $2,900 | -$1,000 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,800 | $2,700 | +$100 |
| Total (driving) | $7,153 | $8,182 | -$1,029 |
| Total (public transport) | $4,942 | $5,942 | -$1,000 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Carina | Carina Heights | 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 vs Carina Heights (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Carina costs $1,029 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $11,796 in favour of Carina.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $1,000 per year.
On public transport the gap is $1,000 per year, $4,942 from Carina versus $5,942 from Carina Heights.
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 by $29 a year, $2,403 against $2,432.
- Building insurance favours Carina by $1,000 a year, $1,900 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.
Fire risk is rated high in Carina Heights against medium in Carina, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Carina cumulative | Carina Heights cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,153 | $8,182 | $1,029 |
| Year 3 | $22,109 | $25,290 | $3,181 |
| Year 5 | $37,976 | $43,439 | $5,463 |
| Year 10 | $82,001 | $93,797 | $11,796 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Carina or Carina Heights cheaper to live in?
Carina is cheaper to run by car at $7,153 per year versus $8,182 for Carina Heights, a difference of $1,029 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Carina and Carina Heights?
Annual council rates for a house are $950 in Carina (Brisbane City Council) and $950 in Carina Heights (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Carina and $1,900 in Carina Heights. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Carina and Carina Heights?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,403 from Carina and $2,432 from Carina Heights to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Carina and $192 from Carina Heights.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Carina and Carina Heights?
At 3% annual cost growth, Carina costs a cumulative $82,001 and Carina Heights costs $93,797 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $11,796 in favour of Carina. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Carina and Carina Heights 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.