Griffin vs Murrumba Downs, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Griffin and Murrumba Downs are both Moreton Bay Regional Council suburbs, sitting 22.2 km and 22.5 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Murrumba Downs runs $304 a year cheaper than Griffin, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,485.
Over 10 years the gap between these two is about $3,500, about $7 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Murrumba Downs
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Griffin | Murrumba Downs | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,309 | $1,309 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,144 | $2,144 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $5,605 | $5,651 | -$46 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,450 | $2,100 | +$350 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,508 | $11,204 | +$304 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,095 | $5,745 | +$350 |
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 | Griffin | Murrumba Downs | 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, Griffin vs Murrumba Downs (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Griffin and Murrumba Downs differ by $304 a year by car, but $350 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 $46, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $350 per year. Griffin carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $350 per year, $6,095 from Griffin versus $5,745 from Murrumba Downs.
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 Griffin by $46 a year, $5,605 against $5,651.
- Building insurance favours Murrumba Downs by $350 a year, $2,100 against $2,450.
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.
Fire risk is rated high in Griffin against medium in Murrumba Downs, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Griffin cumulative | Murrumba Downs cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,508 | $11,204 | $304 |
| Year 3 | $35,570 | $34,630 | $940 |
| Year 5 | $61,098 | $59,484 | $1,614 |
| Year 10 | $131,926 | $128,441 | $3,485 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Griffin or Murrumba Downs cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Griffin runs $11,508 a year by car and Murrumba Downs $11,204, but most of the $304 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $46. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Griffin and Murrumba Downs?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,309 in Griffin (Moreton Bay Regional Council) and $1,309 in Murrumba Downs (Moreton Bay Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,144 in Griffin and $2,144 in Murrumba Downs. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Griffin and Murrumba Downs?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,605 from Griffin and $5,651 from Murrumba Downs to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Griffin and $192 from Murrumba Downs.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Griffin and Murrumba Downs?
At 3% annual cost growth, Griffin costs a cumulative $131,926 and Murrumba Downs costs $128,441 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,485 in favour of Murrumba Downs. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Griffin and Murrumba Downs 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.