Kallangur vs North Lakes: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Kallangur and North Lakes are both Moreton Bay Regional Council suburbs, sitting 24.9 km and 27.6 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Kallangur
North Lakes
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Kallangur | North Lakes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,577 | $1,577 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,074 | $2,074 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $11,880 | $11,880 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,900 | $2,000 | +$900 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,200 | $2,800 | -$600 |
| Total (driving) | $18,431 | $17,531 | +$900 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,743 | $5,843 | +$900 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary.
Cost breakdown chart
Annual cost breakdown — Kallangur vs North Lakes (2025-26)
What the numbers show
North Lakes costs $900 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $10,318 in favour of North Lakes.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $900 per year.
On public transport the gap shifts to $900 per year. Both suburbs pay a flat PT fare, so the difference in total PT cost reflects council rates and insurance rather than commute distance.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Kallangur cumulative | North Lakes cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $18,431 | $17,531 | $900 |
| Year 3 | $56,968 | $54,187 | $2,781 |
| Year 5 | $97,853 | $93,074 | $4,779 |
| Year 10 | $211,291 | $200,973 | $10,318 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kallangur or North Lakes cheaper to live in?
North Lakes is cheaper to run by car at $17,531 per year versus $18,431 for Kallangur — a difference of $900 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2025-26 data.
What are council rates in Kallangur and North Lakes?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,577 in Kallangur (Moreton Bay Regional Council 2025-26) and $1,577 in North Lakes (Moreton Bay Regional Council 2025-26). Water and sewerage adds $2,074 in Kallangur and $2,074 in North Lakes.
How does the commute cost compare between Kallangur and North Lakes?
Annual driving commute costs are $11,880 from Kallangur and $11,880 from North Lakes to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km, 220 working days). Public transport costs $192 from Kallangur and $192 from North Lakes.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Kallangur and North Lakes?
At 3% annual cost growth, Kallangur costs a cumulative $211,291 and North Lakes costs $200,973 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $10,318 in favour of North Lakes. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Compare Kallangur and North Lakes 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.
Open comparison →Related comparisons
Sources: Moreton Bay Regional Council and Moreton Bay Regional Council rate schedules 2025-26, Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater 2025-26, ATO 88c/km, SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2025.