Margate vs Redcliffe, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Margate and Redcliffe are both Moreton Bay Regional Council suburbs, sitting 26.4 km and 28.2 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $199 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, Margate costs about $2,300 less to run than Redcliffe. That's about $4 a week.
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Redcliffe
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Margate | Redcliffe | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,309 | $1,309 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,144 | $2,144 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,181 | $6,380 | -$199 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,400 | $1,400 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,000 | $2,800 | -$800 |
| Total (driving) | $11,034 | $11,233 | -$199 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,045 | $5,045 | - |
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 | Margate | Redcliffe | 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, Margate vs Redcliffe (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Margate and Redcliffe cost within $199 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,282, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $199 per year. Redcliffe is 28.2 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $5,045 and $5,045 a year, so the $199 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,309 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $2,144 a year.
- Driving commute favours Margate by $199 a year, $6,181 against $6,380.
- Building insurance is identical at $1,400 a year.
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.
The catchment state school scores 6.4 in Redcliffe against 5.3 in Margate, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Margate cumulative | Redcliffe cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,034 | $11,233 | $199 |
| Year 3 | $34,105 | $34,720 | $615 |
| Year 5 | $58,581 | $59,638 | $1,057 |
| Year 10 | $126,492 | $128,774 | $2,282 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Margate or Redcliffe cheaper to live in?
Margate is cheaper to run by car at $11,034 per year versus $11,233 for Redcliffe, a difference of $199 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Margate and Redcliffe?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,309 in Margate (Moreton Bay Regional Council) and $1,309 in Redcliffe (Moreton Bay Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,144 in Margate and $2,144 in Redcliffe. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Margate and Redcliffe?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,181 from Margate and $6,380 from Redcliffe to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Margate and $192 from Redcliffe.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Margate and Redcliffe?
At 3% annual cost growth, Margate costs a cumulative $126,492 and Redcliffe costs $128,774 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,282 in favour of Margate. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Margate and Redcliffe suits you better?
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Sources: Moreton Bay Regional Council and Moreton Bay Regional 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.