Margate vs Woody Point: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Margate and Woody Point are both Moreton Bay Regional Council suburbs, sitting 26.4 km and 25.1 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Margate runs $744 a year cheaper than Woody Point, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $8,530.
Over 10 years, Margate costs about $8,500 less to run than Woody Point — the same as paying $8,500 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Woody Point
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Margate | Woody Point | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,636 | $1,636 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,144 | $2,144 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,977 | $5,821 | +$156 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,900 | $2,800 | -$900 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,000 | $2,400 | -$400 |
| Total (driving) | $11,657 | $12,401 | -$744 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,872 | $6,772 | -$900 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Margate | Woody Point | 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 — Margate vs Woody Point (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Margate costs $744 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $8,530 in favour of Margate.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $900 per year. Woody Point carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $900 per year, $5,872 from Margate versus $6,772 from Woody Point.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Margate cumulative | Woody Point cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,657 | $12,401 | $744 |
| Year 3 | $36,031 | $38,330 | $2,299 |
| Year 5 | $61,889 | $65,839 | $3,950 |
| Year 10 | $133,634 | $142,164 | $8,530 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Margate or Woody Point cheaper to live in?
Margate is cheaper to run by car at $11,657 per year versus $12,401 for Woody Point, a difference of $744 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Margate and Woody Point?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,636 in Margate (Moreton Bay Regional Council) and $1,636 in Woody Point (Moreton Bay Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,144 in Margate and $2,144 in Woody Point. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Margate and Woody Point?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,977 from Margate and $5,821 from Woody Point to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Margate and $192 from Woody Point.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Margate and Woody Point?
At 3% annual cost growth, Margate costs a cumulative $133,634 and Woody Point costs $142,164 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $8,530 in favour of Margate. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Margate and Woody Point 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: 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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.