Draper vs Yugar, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Draper and Yugar are both Moreton Bay Regional Council suburbs, sitting 17.5 km and 20.5 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $250 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 the gap between these two is about $2,900, about $6 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Yugar
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Draper | Yugar | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,309 | $1,309 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,144 | $2,144 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $4,778 | $5,328 | -$550 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,700 | $2,400 | +$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,800 | $2,000 | +$800 |
| Total (driving) | $10,931 | $11,181 | -$250 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,345 | $6,045 | +$300 |
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 | Draper | Yugar | 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, Draper vs Yugar (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Draper and Yugar differ by $250 a year by car, but $300 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 $550, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $550 per year. Yugar is 20.5 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, $6,345 from Draper versus $6,045 from Yugar.
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 Draper by $550 a year, $4,778 against $5,328.
- Building insurance favours Yugar by $300 a year, $2,400 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 Draper against low in Yugar, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Draper cumulative | Yugar cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,931 | $11,181 | $250 |
| Year 3 | $33,787 | $34,559 | $772 |
| Year 5 | $58,034 | $59,361 | $1,327 |
| Year 10 | $125,312 | $128,178 | $2,866 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Draper or Yugar cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Draper runs $10,931 a year by car and Yugar $11,181, but most of the $250 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $550. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Draper and Yugar?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,309 in Draper (Moreton Bay Regional Council) and $1,309 in Yugar (Moreton Bay Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,144 in Draper and $2,144 in Yugar. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Draper and Yugar?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,778 from Draper and $5,328 from Yugar to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Draper and $192 from Yugar.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Draper and Yugar?
At 3% annual cost growth, Draper costs a cumulative $125,312 and Yugar costs $128,178 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,866 in favour of Draper. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Draper and Yugar 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.