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).
Kuraby runs $316 a year cheaper than Woodridge, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,623.
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
Woodridge
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Kuraby | Woodridge | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $950 | $1,699 | -$749 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $2,149 | -$249 |
| Commute (driving) | $4,617 | $5,135 | -$518 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,000 | $1,800 | +$1,200 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,400 | $2,800 | -$400 |
| Total (driving) | $10,467 | $10,783 | -$316 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,042 | $5,840 | +$202 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; 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 costs $316 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,623 in favour of Kuraby.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $1,200 per year.
On public transport the gap is $202 per year, $6,042 from Kuraby versus $5,840 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 $1,200 a year, $1,800 against $3,000.
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 | $10,467 | $10,783 | $316 |
| Year 3 | $32,352 | $33,329 | $977 |
| Year 5 | $55,571 | $57,248 | $1,677 |
| Year 10 | $119,992 | $123,615 | $3,623 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kuraby or Woodridge cheaper to live in?
Kuraby is cheaper to run by car at $10,467 per year versus $10,783 for Woodridge, a difference of $316 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. 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 $119,992 and Woodridge costs $123,615 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,623 in favour of Kuraby. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Kuraby and Woodridge 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 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.