Carindale vs Wynnum: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Carindale and Wynnum are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 9.9 km and 14.4 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Carindale runs $395 a year cheaper than Wynnum, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,528.
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 →Carindale
Wynnum
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Carindale | Wynnum | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $950 | $950 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,031 | $4,126 | -$1,095 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,800 | $2,100 | +$700 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,900 | $2,800 | +$100 |
| Total (driving) | $8,681 | $9,076 | -$395 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,842 | $5,142 | +$700 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Carindale | Wynnum | 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 — Carindale vs Wynnum (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Carindale costs $395 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,528 in favour of Carindale.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $1,095 per year. Wynnum is 14.4 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $700 per year, $5,842 from Carindale versus $5,142 from Wynnum.
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 Carindale by $1,095 a year, $3,031 against $4,126.
- Building insurance favours Wynnum by $700 a year, $2,100 against $2,800.
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 Wynnum, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated high in Carindale against medium in Wynnum, which feeds the insurance estimate. The catchment state school scores 9.2 in Carindale against 6.5 in Wynnum, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Carindale cumulative | Wynnum cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,681 | $9,076 | $395 |
| Year 3 | $26,832 | $28,053 | $1,221 |
| Year 5 | $46,089 | $48,186 | $2,097 |
| Year 10 | $99,518 | $104,046 | $4,528 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Carindale or Wynnum cheaper to live in?
Carindale is cheaper to run by car at $8,681 per year versus $9,076 for Wynnum, a difference of $395 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Carindale and Wynnum?
Annual council rates for a house are $950 in Carindale (Brisbane City Council) and $950 in Wynnum (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Carindale and $1,900 in Wynnum. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Carindale and Wynnum?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,031 from Carindale and $4,126 from Wynnum to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Carindale and $192 from Wynnum.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Carindale and Wynnum?
At 3% annual cost growth, Carindale costs a cumulative $99,518 and Wynnum costs $104,046 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,528 in favour of Carindale. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Carindale and Wynnum 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.