Griffin vs Murrumba Downs: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/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 $855 a year cheaper than Griffin, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $9,801.
Over 10 years, Murrumba Downs costs about $9,800 less to run than Griffin — the same as paying $9,800 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Griffin
Murrumba Downs
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Griffin | Murrumba Downs | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,636 | $1,636 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,144 | $2,144 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,420 | $5,465 | -$45 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,800 | $2,900 | +$900 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Total (driving) | $13,000 | $12,145 | +$855 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,772 | $6,872 | +$900 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Griffin | Murrumba Downs | 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 — Griffin vs Murrumba Downs (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Murrumba Downs costs $855 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $9,801 in favour of Murrumba Downs.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $900 per year. Griffin carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $900 per year, $7,772 from Griffin versus $6,872 from Murrumba Downs.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Griffin cumulative | Murrumba Downs cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $13,000 | $12,145 | $855 |
| Year 3 | $40,182 | $37,539 | $2,643 |
| Year 5 | $69,019 | $64,479 | $4,540 |
| Year 10 | $149,030 | $139,229 | $9,801 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Griffin or Murrumba Downs cheaper to live in?
Murrumba Downs is cheaper to run by car at $12,145 per year versus $13,000 for Griffin, a difference of $855 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Griffin and Murrumba Downs?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,636 in Griffin (Moreton Bay Regional Council) and $1,636 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 $5,420 from Griffin and $5,465 from Murrumba Downs to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/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 $149,030 and Murrumba Downs costs $139,229 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $9,801 in favour of Murrumba Downs. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Griffin and Murrumba Downs 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.