Moorooka vs Tarragindi: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Moorooka and Tarragindi are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 7.2 km and 6.7 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Moorooka
Tarragindi
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Moorooka | Tarragindi | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,519 | $1,519 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,824 | $1,824 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $608 | $566 | +$42 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,750 | $3,100 | -$1,350 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,800 | $2,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $5,701 | $7,009 | -$1,308 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,285 | $6,635 | -$1,350 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary.
Cost breakdown chart
Annual cost breakdown — Moorooka vs Tarragindi (2025-26)
What the numbers show
Moorooka costs $1,308 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $14,994 in favour of Moorooka.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $1,350 per year.
On public transport the gap shifts to $1,350 per year. Both suburbs pay a flat PT fare, so the difference in total PT cost reflects council rates and insurance rather than commute distance.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Moorooka cumulative | Tarragindi cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $5,701 | $7,009 | $1,308 |
| Year 3 | $17,621 | $21,664 | $4,043 |
| Year 5 | $30,267 | $37,212 | $6,945 |
| Year 10 | $65,356 | $80,350 | $14,994 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Moorooka or Tarragindi cheaper to live in?
Moorooka is cheaper to run by car at $5,701 per year versus $7,009 for Tarragindi — a difference of $1,308 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2025-26 data.
What are council rates in Moorooka and Tarragindi?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,519 in Moorooka (Brisbane City Council 2025-26) and $1,519 in Tarragindi (Brisbane City Council 2025-26). Water and sewerage adds $1,824 in Moorooka and $1,824 in Tarragindi.
How does the commute cost compare between Moorooka and Tarragindi?
Annual driving commute costs are $608 from Moorooka and $566 from Tarragindi to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km, 220 working days). Public transport costs $192 from Moorooka and $192 from Tarragindi.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Moorooka and Tarragindi?
At 3% annual cost growth, Moorooka costs a cumulative $65,356 and Tarragindi costs $80,350 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $14,994 in favour of Moorooka. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Compare Moorooka and Tarragindi in the tool
The SuburbCost comparison tool shows the full annual cost breakdown for both suburbs side by side. Toggle between driving and public transport to see which suburb comes out ahead for your commuting pattern.
Open comparison →Related comparisons
Sources: Brisbane City Council and Brisbane City Council rate schedules 2025-26, Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater 2025-26, ATO 88c/km, SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2025.