Moorina vs Upper Caboolture: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Moorina and Upper Caboolture are both Moreton Bay Regional Council suburbs, sitting 38.7 km and 41.4 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $201 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. 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 →Moorina
Upper Caboolture
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Moorina | Upper Caboolture | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,309 | $1,309 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,144 | $2,144 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,981 | $6,980 | +$1 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,000 | $2,800 | +$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,800 | -$300 |
| Total (driving) | $13,434 | $13,233 | +$201 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,645 | $6,445 | +$200 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Moorina | Upper Caboolture | 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 — Moorina vs Upper Caboolture (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Moorina and Upper Caboolture cost within $201 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,304, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $200 per year.
On public transport the gap is $200 per year, $6,645 from Moorina versus $6,445 from Upper Caboolture.
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 Upper Caboolture by $1 a year, $6,980 against $6,981.
- Building insurance favours Upper Caboolture by $200 a year, $2,800 against $3,000.
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.
The catchment state school scores 6.4 in Moorina against 4.7 in Upper Caboolture, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Moorina cumulative | Upper Caboolture cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $13,434 | $13,233 | $201 |
| Year 3 | $41,523 | $40,902 | $621 |
| Year 5 | $71,323 | $70,256 | $1,067 |
| Year 10 | $154,006 | $151,702 | $2,304 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Moorina or Upper Caboolture cheaper to live in?
Upper Caboolture is cheaper to run by car at $13,233 per year versus $13,434 for Moorina, a difference of $201 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Moorina and Upper Caboolture?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,309 in Moorina (Moreton Bay Regional Council) and $1,309 in Upper Caboolture (Moreton Bay Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,144 in Moorina and $2,144 in Upper Caboolture. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Moorina and Upper Caboolture?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,981 from Moorina and $6,980 from Upper Caboolture to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Moorina and $192 from Upper Caboolture.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Moorina and Upper Caboolture?
At 3% annual cost growth, Moorina costs a cumulative $154,006 and Upper Caboolture costs $151,702 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,304 in favour of Upper Caboolture. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Moorina and Upper Caboolture 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.