Kallangur 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
Kallangur and Murrumba Downs are both Moreton Bay Regional Council suburbs, sitting 24.9 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 $330 a year cheaper than Kallangur, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,783.
Over 10 years these two cost about the same to run. The difference here isn't money — it's location, schools and lifestyle.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Kallangur
Murrumba Downs
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Kallangur | Murrumba Downs | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,636 | $1,636 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,144 | $2,144 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,795 | $5,465 | +$330 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,900 | $2,900 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,200 | $2,400 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $12,475 | $12,145 | +$330 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,872 | $6,872 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Kallangur | 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 — Kallangur vs Murrumba Downs (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Murrumba Downs costs $330 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,783 in favour of Murrumba Downs.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $330 per year. Kallangur is 24.9 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $6,872 and $6,872 a year, so the $330 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Kallangur cumulative | Murrumba Downs cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,475 | $12,145 | $330 |
| Year 3 | $38,559 | $37,539 | $1,020 |
| Year 5 | $66,231 | $64,479 | $1,752 |
| Year 10 | $143,012 | $139,229 | $3,783 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kallangur or Murrumba Downs cheaper to live in?
Murrumba Downs is cheaper to run by car at $12,145 per year versus $12,475 for Kallangur, a difference of $330 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Kallangur and Murrumba Downs?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,636 in Kallangur (Moreton Bay Regional Council) and $1,636 in Murrumba Downs (Moreton Bay Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,144 in Kallangur 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 Kallangur and Murrumba Downs?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,795 from Kallangur and $5,465 from Murrumba Downs to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Kallangur and $192 from Murrumba Downs.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Kallangur and Murrumba Downs?
At 3% annual cost growth, Kallangur costs a cumulative $143,012 and Murrumba Downs costs $139,229 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,783 in favour of Murrumba Downs. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Kallangur 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.