Kuraby vs Underwood: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Kuraby (Brisbane City Council) and Underwood (Logan City Council) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Brisbane CBD (16.7 km and 17.6 km).
Underwood runs $340 a year cheaper than Kuraby, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,898.
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 →Kuraby
Underwood
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Kuraby | Underwood | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,579 | $1,816 | -$237 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $2,149 | -$249 |
| Commute (driving) | $4,465 | $4,639 | -$174 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,000 | $2,000 | +$1,000 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,400 | $2,800 | -$400 |
| Total (driving) | $10,944 | $10,604 | +$340 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,671 | $6,157 | +$514 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Kuraby | Underwood | 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 — Kuraby vs Underwood (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Underwood costs $340 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,898 in favour of Underwood.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $1,000 per year.
On public transport the gap is $514 per year, $6,671 from Kuraby versus $6,157 from Underwood.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Kuraby cumulative | Underwood cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,944 | $10,604 | $340 |
| Year 3 | $33,827 | $32,776 | $1,051 |
| Year 5 | $58,103 | $56,298 | $1,805 |
| Year 10 | $125,461 | $121,563 | $3,898 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kuraby or Underwood cheaper to live in?
Underwood is cheaper to run by car at $10,604 per year versus $10,944 for Kuraby, a difference of $340 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Kuraby and Underwood?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,579 in Kuraby (Brisbane City Council) and $1,816 in Underwood (Logan City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Kuraby and $2,149 in Underwood. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Kuraby and Underwood?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,465 from Kuraby and $4,639 from Underwood to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Kuraby and $192 from Underwood.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Kuraby and Underwood?
At 3% annual cost growth, Kuraby costs a cumulative $125,461 and Underwood costs $121,563 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,898 in favour of Underwood. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Kuraby and Underwood 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.
Related comparisons
Sources: Brisbane City Council and Logan City 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.