Cashmere vs Whiteside: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Cashmere and Whiteside are both Moreton Bay Regional Council suburbs, sitting 22.8 km and 26.8 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $230 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 →Cashmere
Whiteside
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Cashmere | Whiteside | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,309 | $1,309 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,144 | $2,144 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,697 | $6,227 | -$530 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,100 | $2,800 | +$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,400 | $2,200 | +$200 |
| Total (driving) | $12,250 | $12,480 | -$230 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,745 | $6,445 | +$300 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Cashmere | Whiteside | 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 — Cashmere vs Whiteside (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Cashmere and Whiteside cost within $230 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,636, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $530 per year. Whiteside is 26.8 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $6,745 from Cashmere versus $6,445 from Whiteside.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,309 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $2,144 a year.
- Driving commute favours Cashmere by $530 a year, $5,697 against $6,227.
- Building insurance favours Whiteside by $300 a year, $2,800 against $3,100.
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.
The catchment state school scores 7.8 in Cashmere against 5.8 in Whiteside, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Cashmere cumulative | Whiteside cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,250 | $12,480 | $230 |
| Year 3 | $37,864 | $38,574 | $710 |
| Year 5 | $65,037 | $66,258 | $1,221 |
| Year 10 | $140,433 | $143,069 | $2,636 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cashmere or Whiteside cheaper to live in?
Cashmere is cheaper to run by car at $12,250 per year versus $12,480 for Whiteside, a difference of $230 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Cashmere and Whiteside?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,309 in Cashmere (Moreton Bay Regional Council) and $1,309 in Whiteside (Moreton Bay Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,144 in Cashmere and $2,144 in Whiteside. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Cashmere and Whiteside?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,697 from Cashmere and $6,227 from Whiteside to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Cashmere and $192 from Whiteside.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Cashmere and Whiteside?
At 3% annual cost growth, Cashmere costs a cumulative $140,433 and Whiteside costs $143,069 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,636 in favour of Cashmere. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Cashmere and Whiteside 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: Moreton Bay Regional Council and Moreton Bay Regional 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.