Carina vs Seven Hills: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Carina and Seven Hills are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 7.6 km and 5.4 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $278 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 →Carina
Seven Hills
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Carina | Seven Hills | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,579 | $1,579 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,324 | $1,702 | +$622 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,900 | $2,800 | -$900 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,800 | $2,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $7,703 | $7,981 | -$278 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,571 | $6,471 | -$900 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Carina | Seven Hills | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $1,976 | $1,976 | - |
| Unit | $1,591 | $1,591 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2025 rates (QLD 30c/kWh, NSW 33c/kWh incl. supply charge; 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 Seven Hills (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Carina and Seven Hills cost within $278 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $3,187, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $900 per year.
On public transport the gap is $900 per year, $5,571 from Carina versus $6,471 from Seven Hills.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Carina cumulative | Seven Hills cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,703 | $7,981 | $278 |
| Year 3 | $23,809 | $24,668 | $859 |
| Year 5 | $40,896 | $42,372 | $1,476 |
| Year 10 | $88,306 | $91,493 | $3,187 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Carina or Seven Hills cheaper to live in?
Carina is cheaper to run by car at $7,703 per year versus $7,981 for Seven Hills, a difference of $278 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Carina and Seven Hills?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,579 in Carina (Brisbane City Council) and $1,579 in Seven Hills (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Carina and $1,900 in Seven Hills. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Carina and Seven Hills?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,324 from Carina and $1,702 from Seven Hills to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Carina and $192 from Seven Hills.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Carina and Seven Hills?
At 3% annual cost growth, Carina costs a cumulative $88,306 and Seven Hills costs $91,493 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,187 in favour of Carina. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Carina and Seven Hills 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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.