Kuraby vs Woodridge, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Kuraby (Brisbane City Council) and Woodridge (Logan City Council) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Brisbane CBD (16.7 km and 19.4 km).
The two sit within $266 a year of each other to run, so running cost is a minor factor here. The decision comes down to schools, risk and lifestyle, all in the free report.
Over 10 years the gap between these two is about $3,000, about $6 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Woodridge
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Kuraby | Woodridge | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $950 | $1,699 | -$749 |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,900 | $2,149 | -$249 |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $4,617 | $5,135 | -$518 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,650 | $1,400 | +$1,250 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,400 | $2,800 | -$400 |
| Total (driving) | $10,117 | $10,383 | -$266 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,692 | $5,440 | +$252 |
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 | Kuraby | Woodridge | 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, Kuraby vs Woodridge (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Kuraby and Woodridge differ by $266 a year by car, but $1,250 of that is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On the sourced costs, council rates, water and the commute, the gap is $1,516, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $1,250 per year.
On public transport the gap is $252 per year, $5,692 from Kuraby versus $5,440 from Woodridge.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Kuraby by $749 a year, $950 against $1,699.
- Water and sewerage favours Kuraby by $249 a year, $1,900 against $2,149.
- Driving commute favours Kuraby by $518 a year, $4,617 against $5,135.
- Building insurance favours Woodridge by $1,250 a year, $1,400 against $2,650.
They sit in different council areas, so the rates line is set by two different councils. For QLD that figure is the minimum residential general rate for an owner-occupied principal place of residence, a floor rather than a typical bill.
Fire risk is rated high in Kuraby against medium in Woodridge, which feeds the insurance estimate. The catchment state school scores 6 in Kuraby against 3.1 in Woodridge, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Kuraby cumulative | Woodridge cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,117 | $10,383 | $266 |
| Year 3 | $31,271 | $32,093 | $822 |
| Year 5 | $53,713 | $55,125 | $1,412 |
| Year 10 | $115,980 | $119,029 | $3,049 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kuraby or Woodridge cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Kuraby runs $10,117 a year by car and Woodridge $10,383, but most of the $266 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $1,516. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Kuraby and Woodridge?
Annual council rates for a house are $950 in Kuraby (Brisbane City Council) and $1,699 in Woodridge (Logan City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Kuraby and $2,149 in Woodridge. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Kuraby and Woodridge?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,617 from Kuraby and $5,135 from Woodridge to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Kuraby and $192 from Woodridge.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Kuraby and Woodridge?
At 3% annual cost growth, Kuraby costs a cumulative $115,980 and Woodridge costs $119,029 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,049 in favour of Kuraby. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Kuraby and Woodridge suits you better?
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Sources: Brisbane City Council and Logan City 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.