Dakabin vs Petrie: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Dakabin and Petrie are both Moreton Bay Regional Council suburbs, sitting 27.8 km and 23.4 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Petrie runs $836 a year cheaper than Dakabin, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $9,584.
Over 10 years, Petrie costs about $9,600 less to run than Dakabin — the same as paying $9,600 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Petrie
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Dakabin | Petrie | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,636 | $1,636 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,144 | $2,144 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,130 | $5,594 | +$536 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,100 | $2,800 | +$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,600 | $2,800 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $13,010 | $12,174 | +$836 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,072 | $6,772 | +$300 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Dakabin | Petrie | 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 — Dakabin vs Petrie (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Petrie costs $836 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $9,584 in favour of Petrie.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $536 per year. Dakabin is 27.8 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $7,072 from Dakabin versus $6,772 from Petrie.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Dakabin cumulative | Petrie cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $13,010 | $12,174 | $836 |
| Year 3 | $40,213 | $37,629 | $2,584 |
| Year 5 | $69,072 | $64,633 | $4,439 |
| Year 10 | $149,145 | $139,561 | $9,584 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Dakabin or Petrie cheaper to live in?
Petrie is cheaper to run by car at $12,174 per year versus $13,010 for Dakabin, a difference of $836 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Dakabin and Petrie?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,636 in Dakabin (Moreton Bay Regional Council) and $1,636 in Petrie (Moreton Bay Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,144 in Dakabin and $2,144 in Petrie. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Dakabin and Petrie?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,130 from Dakabin and $5,594 from Petrie to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Dakabin and $192 from Petrie.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Dakabin and Petrie?
At 3% annual cost growth, Dakabin costs a cumulative $149,145 and Petrie costs $139,561 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $9,584 in favour of Petrie. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Dakabin and Petrie 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: 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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.