Glen Esk vs Murrumba, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Glen Esk and Murrumba are both Somerset Regional Council suburbs, sitting 4.4 km and 5.7 km from Esk CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $297 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, Glen Esk costs about $3,400 less to run than Murrumba. That's about $7 a week.
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Murrumba
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Glen Esk | Murrumba | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,284 | $1,284 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,453 | $1,850 | -$397 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,453 | $1,850 | -$397 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,200 | $2,100 | +$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,400 | $1,600 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $6,837 | $7,134 | -$297 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,837 | $7,134 | -$297 |
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 | Glen Esk | Murrumba | 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, Glen Esk vs Murrumba (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Glen Esk and Murrumba cost within $297 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $3,404, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $397 per year. Murrumba is 5.7 km from Esk CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $297 per year, $6,837 from Glen Esk versus $7,134 from Murrumba.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,284 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,900 a year.
- Driving commute favours Glen Esk by $397 a year, $1,453 against $1,850.
- Building insurance favours Murrumba by $100 a year, $2,100 against $2,200.
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 | Glen Esk cumulative | Murrumba cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $6,837 | $7,134 | $297 |
| Year 3 | $21,132 | $22,050 | $918 |
| Year 5 | $36,299 | $37,875 | $1,576 |
| Year 10 | $78,379 | $81,783 | $3,404 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Glen Esk or Murrumba cheaper to live in?
Glen Esk is cheaper to run by car at $6,837 per year versus $7,134 for Murrumba, a difference of $297 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Glen Esk and Murrumba?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,284 in Glen Esk (Somerset Regional Council) and $1,284 in Murrumba (Somerset Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Glen Esk and $1,900 in Murrumba. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Glen Esk and Murrumba?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,453 from Glen Esk and $1,850 from Murrumba to Esk CBD (ATO 91c/km). No daily public transport commute is assumed from either suburb, so both are costed by car.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Glen Esk and Murrumba?
At 3% annual cost growth, Glen Esk costs a cumulative $78,379 and Murrumba costs $81,783 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,404 in favour of Glen Esk. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Glen Esk and Murrumba suits you better?
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Sources: Somerset Regional Council and Somerset 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.