Meldale vs Toorbul, 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 Toorbul are both Moreton Bay Regional Council suburbs, sitting 49.4 km and 47.9 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $263 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 the gap between these two is about $3,000, about $6 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Toorbul
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Meldale | Toorbul | 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 | $6,716 | -$113 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,200 | $2,350 | -$150 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $12,256 | $12,519 | -$263 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,845 | $5,995 | -$150 |
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 | Toorbul | 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 Toorbul (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Meldale and Toorbul differ by $263 a year by car, but $150 of that is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On the sourced costs, council rates, water and the commute, the gap is $113, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $150 per year. Toorbul carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $5,845 and $5,995 a year, so the $263 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 Meldale by $113 a year, $6,603 against $6,716.
- Building insurance favours Meldale by $150 a year, $2,200 against $2,350.
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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Meldale cumulative | Toorbul cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,256 | $12,519 | $263 |
| Year 3 | $37,882 | $38,695 | $813 |
| Year 5 | $65,069 | $66,465 | $1,396 |
| Year 10 | $140,501 | $143,516 | $3,015 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Meldale or Toorbul cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Meldale runs $12,256 a year by car and Toorbul $12,519, but most of the $263 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $113. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Meldale and Toorbul?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,309 in Meldale (Moreton Bay Regional Council) and $1,309 in Toorbul (Moreton Bay Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,144 in Meldale and $2,144 in Toorbul. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Meldale and Toorbul?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,603 from Meldale and $6,716 from Toorbul to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Meldale and $192 from Toorbul.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Meldale and Toorbul?
At 3% annual cost growth, Meldale costs a cumulative $140,501 and Toorbul costs $143,516 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,015 in favour of Meldale. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Meldale and Toorbul 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.