Manly West vs Wynnum West: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/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.
The two sit within $297 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 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 | $950 | $950 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,036 | $3,733 | +$303 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,300 | $2,900 | -$600 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,600 | $2,600 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,186 | $9,483 | -$297 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,342 | $5,942 | -$600 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Manly West | Wynnum West | 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 — Manly West vs Wynnum West (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Manly West and Wynnum West cost within $297 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $3,405, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
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, $5,342 from Manly West versus $5,942 from Wynnum West.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $950 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,900 a year.
- Driving commute favours Wynnum West by $303 a year, $3,733 against $4,036.
- Building insurance favours Manly West by $600 a year, $2,300 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.
Flood risk is rated medium in Wynnum West against low in Manly West, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated high in Wynnum West against medium in Manly West, which feeds the insurance estimate. The catchment state school scores 7 in Manly West against 5.1 in Wynnum West, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Manly West cumulative | Wynnum West cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,186 | $9,483 | $297 |
| Year 3 | $28,393 | $29,311 | $918 |
| Year 5 | $48,770 | $50,347 | $1,577 |
| Year 10 | $105,307 | $108,712 | $3,405 |
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 $9,186 per year versus $9,483 for Wynnum West, a difference of $297 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/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 $950 in Manly West (Brisbane City Council) and $950 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 $4,036 from Manly West and $3,733 from Wynnum West to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/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 $105,307 and Wynnum West costs $108,712 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,405 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.
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Sources: Brisbane City Council and Brisbane 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.