Dakabin vs Kallangur, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Dakabin and Kallangur are both Moreton Bay Regional Council suburbs, sitting 27.8 km and 24.9 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Kallangur runs $496 a year cheaper than Dakabin, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,686.
Over 10 years, Kallangur costs about $5,700 less to run than Dakabin. That's about $11 a week.
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Kallangur
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Dakabin | Kallangur | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,309 | $1,309 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,144 | $2,144 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,339 | $5,993 | +$346 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,250 | $2,100 | +$150 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,600 | $2,200 | +$400 |
| Total (driving) | $12,042 | $11,546 | +$496 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,895 | $5,745 | +$150 |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Dakabin | Kallangur | 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, Dakabin vs Kallangur (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Kallangur costs $496 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,686 in favour of Kallangur.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $346 per year. Dakabin is 27.8 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, $5,895 and $5,745 a year, so the $496 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
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 Kallangur by $346 a year, $5,993 against $6,339.
- Building insurance favours Kallangur by $150 a year, $2,100 against $2,250.
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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Dakabin cumulative | Kallangur cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,042 | $11,546 | $496 |
| Year 3 | $37,221 | $35,688 | $1,533 |
| Year 5 | $63,933 | $61,299 | $2,634 |
| Year 10 | $138,048 | $132,362 | $5,686 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Dakabin or Kallangur cheaper to live in?
Kallangur is cheaper to run by car at $11,546 per year versus $12,042 for Dakabin, a difference of $496 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Dakabin and Kallangur?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,309 in Dakabin (Moreton Bay Regional Council) and $1,309 in Kallangur (Moreton Bay Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,144 in Dakabin and $2,144 in Kallangur. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Dakabin and Kallangur?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,339 from Dakabin and $5,993 from Kallangur to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Dakabin and $192 from Kallangur.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Dakabin and Kallangur?
At 3% annual cost growth, Dakabin costs a cumulative $138,048 and Kallangur costs $132,362 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,686 in favour of Kallangur. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Dakabin and Kallangur suits you better?
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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 insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.