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.
Meldale runs $313 a year cheaper than Toorbul, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,588.
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 →Meldale
Toorbul
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Meldale | Toorbul | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,309 | $1,309 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,144 | $2,144 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,603 | $6,716 | -$113 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,600 | $3,800 | -$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $13,656 | $13,969 | -$313 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,245 | $7,445 | -$200 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; 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 costs $313 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,588 in favour of Meldale.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $200 per year. Toorbul carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $200 per year, $7,245 from Meldale versus $7,445 from Toorbul.
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 $200 a year, $3,600 against $3,800.
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 | $13,656 | $13,969 | $313 |
| Year 3 | $42,209 | $43,177 | $968 |
| Year 5 | $72,502 | $74,163 | $1,661 |
| Year 10 | $156,551 | $160,139 | $3,588 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Meldale or Toorbul cheaper to live in?
Meldale is cheaper to run by car at $13,656 per year versus $13,969 for Toorbul, a difference of $313 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. 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 $156,551 and Toorbul costs $160,139 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,588 in favour of Meldale. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Meldale and Toorbul 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 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.