Kalinga vs Wavell Heights, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Kalinga and Wavell Heights are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 7 km and 8.7 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Kalinga runs $527 a year cheaper than Wavell Heights, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,041.
Over 10 years, Kalinga costs about $6,000 less to run than Wavell Heights. That's about $12 a week.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict → Personalise this comparison with your own commute, home type and loan → Neither quite right? Find the Brisbane suburbs that fit your budget →Kalinga
Wavell Heights
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Kalinga | Wavell Heights | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $950 | $950 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,232 | $2,709 | -$477 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,100 | $2,150 | -$50 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,800 | $2,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $7,182 | $7,709 | -$527 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,142 | $5,192 | -$50 |
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 | Kalinga | Wavell Heights | 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, Kalinga vs Wavell Heights (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Kalinga costs $527 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $6,041 in favour of Kalinga.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $477 per year. Wavell Heights is 8.7 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $5,142 and $5,192 a year, so the $527 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $950 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,900 a year.
- Driving commute favours Kalinga by $477 a year, $2,232 against $2,709.
- Building insurance favours Kalinga by $50 a year, $2,100 against $2,150.
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 high in Kalinga against medium in Wavell Heights, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated medium in Wavell Heights against low in Kalinga, which feeds the insurance estimate. The catchment state school scores 9.8 in Kalinga against 5.6 in Wavell Heights, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Kalinga cumulative | Wavell Heights cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,182 | $7,709 | $527 |
| Year 3 | $22,199 | $23,828 | $1,629 |
| Year 5 | $38,130 | $40,928 | $2,798 |
| Year 10 | $82,334 | $88,375 | $6,041 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kalinga or Wavell Heights cheaper to live in?
Kalinga is cheaper to run by car at $7,182 per year versus $7,709 for Wavell Heights, a difference of $527 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Kalinga and Wavell Heights?
Annual council rates for a house are $950 in Kalinga (Brisbane City Council) and $950 in Wavell Heights (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Kalinga and $1,900 in Wavell Heights. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Kalinga and Wavell Heights?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,232 from Kalinga and $2,709 from Wavell Heights to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Kalinga and $192 from Wavell Heights.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Kalinga and Wavell Heights?
At 3% annual cost growth, Kalinga costs a cumulative $82,334 and Wavell Heights costs $88,375 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,041 in favour of Kalinga. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Kalinga and Wavell Heights suits you better?
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.
Related comparisons
Sources: Brisbane City Council and Brisbane City 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.