Dayboro vs King Scrub, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Dayboro and King Scrub are both Moreton Bay Regional Council suburbs, sitting 35.8 km and 39 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
King Scrub runs $528 a year cheaper than Dayboro, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,053.
Over 10 years the gap between these two is about $6,100, about $12 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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King Scrub
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Dayboro | King Scrub | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,309 | $1,309 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,144 | $2,144 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,912 | $6,984 | -$72 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,700 | $2,100 | +$600 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,900 | $1,600 | +$300 |
| Total (driving) | $13,065 | $12,537 | +$528 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,345 | $5,745 | +$600 |
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 | Dayboro | King Scrub | 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, Dayboro vs King Scrub (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Dayboro and King Scrub differ by $528 a year by car, but $600 of that is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On the sourced costs, council rates, water and the commute, the gap is $72, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $600 per year. Dayboro carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $600 per year, $6,345 from Dayboro versus $5,745 from King Scrub.
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 Dayboro by $72 a year, $6,912 against $6,984.
- Building insurance favours King Scrub by $600 a year, $2,100 against $2,700.
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 Dayboro against low in King Scrub, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Dayboro cumulative | King Scrub cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $13,065 | $12,537 | $528 |
| Year 3 | $40,383 | $38,751 | $1,632 |
| Year 5 | $69,364 | $66,561 | $2,803 |
| Year 10 | $149,776 | $143,723 | $6,053 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Dayboro or King Scrub cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Dayboro runs $13,065 a year by car and King Scrub $12,537, but most of the $528 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $72. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Dayboro and King Scrub?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,309 in Dayboro (Moreton Bay Regional Council) and $1,309 in King Scrub (Moreton Bay Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,144 in Dayboro and $2,144 in King Scrub. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Dayboro and King Scrub?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,912 from Dayboro and $6,984 from King Scrub to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Dayboro and $192 from King Scrub.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Dayboro and King Scrub?
At 3% annual cost growth, Dayboro costs a cumulative $149,776 and King Scrub costs $143,723 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,053 in favour of King Scrub. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Dayboro and King Scrub 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.