Kallangur vs Petrie: 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 Petrie are both Moreton Bay Regional Council suburbs, sitting 24.9 km and 23.4 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Petrie runs $308 a year cheaper than Kallangur, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,531.
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
Petrie
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Kallangur | Petrie | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,309 | $1,309 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,144 | $2,144 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,993 | $5,785 | +$208 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,900 | $2,800 | +$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,200 | $2,800 | -$600 |
| Total (driving) | $12,346 | $12,038 | +$308 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,545 | $6,445 | +$100 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Kallangur | Petrie | 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 Petrie (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Petrie costs $308 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,531 in favour of Petrie.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $208 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, $6,545 and $6,445 a year, so the $308 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 Petrie by $208 a year, $5,785 against $5,993.
- Building insurance favours Petrie by $100 a year, $2,800 against $2,900.
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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Kallangur cumulative | Petrie cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,346 | $12,038 | $308 |
| Year 3 | $38,160 | $37,208 | $952 |
| Year 5 | $65,547 | $63,911 | $1,636 |
| Year 10 | $141,533 | $138,002 | $3,531 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kallangur or Petrie cheaper to live in?
Petrie is cheaper to run by car at $12,038 per year versus $12,346 for Kallangur, a difference of $308 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Kallangur and Petrie?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,309 in Kallangur (Moreton Bay Regional Council) and $1,309 in Petrie (Moreton Bay Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,144 in Kallangur and $2,144 in Petrie. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Kallangur and Petrie?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,993 from Kallangur and $5,785 from Petrie to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Kallangur and $192 from Petrie.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Kallangur and Petrie?
At 3% annual cost growth, Kallangur costs a cumulative $141,533 and Petrie costs $138,002 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,531 in favour of Petrie. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Kallangur and Petrie 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 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.