Kallangur 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
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 $342 a year cheaper than Kallangur, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,921.
Over 10 years, Murrumba Downs costs about $3,900 less to run than Kallangur. That's about $8 a week.
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Murrumba Downs
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Kallangur | 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 | $5,993 | $5,651 | +$342 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,200 | $2,400 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $11,546 | $11,204 | +$342 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,745 | $5,745 | - |
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 | Kallangur | 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, Kallangur vs Murrumba Downs (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Murrumba Downs costs $342 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,921 in favour of Murrumba Downs.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $342 per year. Kallangur is 24.9 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, $5,745 and $5,745 a year, so the $342 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
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 Murrumba Downs by $342 a year, $5,651 against $5,993.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,100 a year.
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.
Flood risk is rated medium in Murrumba Downs against low in Kallangur, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated high in Kallangur against medium in Murrumba Downs, which feeds the insurance estimate. The catchment state school scores 6.3 in Murrumba Downs against 4.9 in Kallangur, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Kallangur cumulative | Murrumba Downs cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,546 | $11,204 | $342 |
| Year 3 | $35,688 | $34,630 | $1,058 |
| Year 5 | $61,299 | $59,484 | $1,815 |
| Year 10 | $132,362 | $128,441 | $3,921 |
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 $11,204 per year versus $11,546 for Kallangur, a difference of $342 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Kallangur and Murrumba Downs?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,309 in Kallangur (Moreton Bay Regional Council) and $1,309 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 $5,993 from Kallangur and $5,651 from Murrumba Downs to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/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 $132,362 and Murrumba Downs costs $128,441 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,921 in favour of Murrumba Downs. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Kallangur 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.