Moorooka vs Salisbury: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Moorooka and Salisbury are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 7.2 km and 8.9 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Moorooka runs $3,909 a year cheaper than Salisbury, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $44,812.
Over 10 years, Moorooka costs about $44,800 less to run than Salisbury — the same as paying $44,800 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Moorooka | Salisbury | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,579 | $1,579 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,214 | $2,673 | -$459 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,750 | $5,200 | -$3,450 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,800 | $3,000 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $7,443 | $11,352 | -$3,909 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,421 | $8,871 | -$3,450 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Moorooka | Salisbury | 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 — Moorooka vs Salisbury (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Moorooka costs $3,909 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $44,812 in favour of Moorooka.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $3,450 per year. Salisbury carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $3,450 per year, $5,421 from Moorooka versus $8,871 from Salisbury.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Moorooka cumulative | Salisbury cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,443 | $11,352 | $3,909 |
| Year 3 | $23,006 | $35,088 | $12,082 |
| Year 5 | $39,516 | $60,269 | $20,753 |
| Year 10 | $85,326 | $130,138 | $44,812 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Moorooka or Salisbury cheaper to live in?
Moorooka is cheaper to run by car at $7,443 per year versus $11,352 for Salisbury, a difference of $3,909 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Moorooka and Salisbury?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,579 in Moorooka (Brisbane City Council) and $1,579 in Salisbury (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Moorooka and $1,900 in Salisbury. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Moorooka and Salisbury?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,214 from Moorooka and $2,673 from Salisbury to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Moorooka and $192 from Salisbury.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Moorooka and Salisbury?
At 3% annual cost growth, Moorooka costs a cumulative $85,326 and Salisbury costs $130,138 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $44,812 in favour of Moorooka. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Moorooka and Salisbury 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.
Related comparisons
Sources: Brisbane City Council and Brisbane City 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.