Morningside vs Hawthorne: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Morningside and Hawthorne are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 5.1 km and 3.4 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Morningside
Hawthorne
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Morningside | Hawthorne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,519 | $1,519 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,824 | $1,824 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $431 | $287 | +$144 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,800 | $1,900 | -$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $3,000 | $3,500 | -$500 |
| Total (driving) | $5,574 | $5,530 | +$44 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,335 | $5,435 | -$100 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary.
Cost breakdown chart
Annual cost breakdown — Morningside vs Hawthorne (2025-26)
What the numbers show
Morningside and Hawthorne cost within $44 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $505, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $144 per year. Morningside is 5.1 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
Public transport equalises the comparison: both suburbs pay a flat $192 annual PT fare, so the $44 driving gap narrows to $100 under PT. If you rely on public transport, the two suburbs cost almost the same to run annually.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Morningside cumulative | Hawthorne cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $5,574 | $5,530 | $44 |
| Year 3 | $17,229 | $17,093 | $136 |
| Year 5 | $29,593 | $29,360 | $233 |
| Year 10 | $63,900 | $63,395 | $505 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Morningside or Hawthorne cheaper to live in?
Hawthorne is cheaper to run by car at $5,530 per year versus $5,574 for Morningside — a difference of $44 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2025-26 data.
What are council rates in Morningside and Hawthorne?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,519 in Morningside (Brisbane City Council 2025-26) and $1,519 in Hawthorne (Brisbane City Council 2025-26). Water and sewerage adds $1,824 in Morningside and $1,824 in Hawthorne.
How does the commute cost compare between Morningside and Hawthorne?
Annual driving commute costs are $431 from Morningside and $287 from Hawthorne to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km, 220 working days). Public transport costs $192 from Morningside and $192 from Hawthorne.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Morningside and Hawthorne?
At 3% annual cost growth, Morningside costs a cumulative $63,900 and Hawthorne costs $63,395 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $505 in favour of Hawthorne. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Compare Morningside and Hawthorne in the tool
The SuburbCost comparison tool shows the full annual cost breakdown for both suburbs side by side. Toggle between driving and public transport to see which suburb comes out ahead for your commuting pattern.
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Sources: Brisbane City Council and Brisbane City Council rate schedules 2025-26, Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater 2025-26, ATO 88c/km, SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2025.