Meldale vs Ningi, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Meldale and Ningi are both Moreton Bay Regional Council suburbs, sitting 49.4 km and 44.7 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $11 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.
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Ningi
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Meldale | Ningi | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,309 | $1,309 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,144 | $2,144 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,603 | $6,892 | -$289 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,200 | $1,900 | +$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $12,256 | $12,245 | +$11 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,845 | $5,545 | +$300 |
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 | Meldale | Ningi | 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, Meldale vs Ningi (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Meldale and Ningi cost within $11 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $126, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $300 per year. Meldale carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $5,845 from Meldale versus $5,545 from Ningi.
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 Meldale by $289 a year, $6,603 against $6,892.
- Building insurance favours Ningi by $300 a year, $1,900 against $2,200.
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 Meldale against low in Ningi, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Meldale cumulative | Ningi cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,256 | $12,245 | $11 |
| Year 3 | $37,882 | $37,848 | $34 |
| Year 5 | $65,069 | $65,010 | $59 |
| Year 10 | $140,501 | $140,375 | $126 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Meldale or Ningi cheaper to live in?
Ningi is cheaper to run by car at $12,245 per year versus $12,256 for Meldale, a difference of $11 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Meldale and Ningi?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,309 in Meldale (Moreton Bay Regional Council) and $1,309 in Ningi (Moreton Bay Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,144 in Meldale and $2,144 in Ningi. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Meldale and Ningi?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,603 from Meldale and $6,892 from Ningi to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Meldale and $192 from Ningi.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Meldale and Ningi?
At 3% annual cost growth, Meldale costs a cumulative $140,501 and Ningi costs $140,375 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $126 in favour of Ningi. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Meldale and Ningi 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.