Manly West vs Wynnum West: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Manly West and Wynnum West are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 14 km and 12.7 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Manly West runs $307 a year cheaper than Wynnum West, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,520.
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 →Manly West
Wynnum West
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Manly West | Wynnum West | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,579 | $1,579 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,903 | $3,610 | +$293 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,300 | $2,900 | -$600 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,600 | $2,600 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,682 | $9,989 | -$307 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,971 | $6,571 | -$600 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Manly West | Wynnum West | 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 — Manly West vs Wynnum West (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Manly West costs $307 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,520 in favour of Manly West.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $600 per year. Wynnum West carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $600 per year, $5,971 from Manly West versus $6,571 from Wynnum West.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Manly West cumulative | Wynnum West cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,682 | $9,989 | $307 |
| Year 3 | $29,926 | $30,875 | $949 |
| Year 5 | $51,403 | $53,033 | $1,630 |
| Year 10 | $110,993 | $114,513 | $3,520 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Manly West or Wynnum West cheaper to live in?
Manly West is cheaper to run by car at $9,682 per year versus $9,989 for Wynnum West, a difference of $307 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Manly West and Wynnum West?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,579 in Manly West (Brisbane City Council) and $1,579 in Wynnum West (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Manly West and $1,900 in Wynnum West. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Manly West and Wynnum West?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,903 from Manly West and $3,610 from Wynnum West to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Manly West and $192 from Wynnum West.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Manly West and Wynnum West?
At 3% annual cost growth, Manly West costs a cumulative $110,993 and Wynnum West costs $114,513 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,520 in favour of Manly West. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Manly West and Wynnum West 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 Brisbane 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.