Moorooka vs Tarragindi: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
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 runs $1,206 a year cheaper than Tarragindi, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $13,825.
Over 10 years, Moorooka costs about $13,800 less to run than Tarragindi — the same as paying $13,800 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Tarragindi
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Moorooka | Tarragindi | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $950 | $950 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,289 | $2,145 | +$144 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,750 | $3,100 | -$1,350 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,800 | $2,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $6,889 | $8,095 | -$1,206 |
| Total (public transport) | $4,792 | $6,142 | -$1,350 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Moorooka | Tarragindi | 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 — Moorooka vs Tarragindi (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Moorooka costs $1,206 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $13,825 in favour of Moorooka.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $1,350 per year.
On public transport the gap is $1,350 per year, $4,792 from Moorooka versus $6,142 from Tarragindi.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $950 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,900 a year.
- Driving commute favours Tarragindi by $144 a year, $2,145 against $2,289.
- Building insurance favours Moorooka by $1,350 a year, $1,750 against $3,100.
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.
Fire risk is rated high in Tarragindi against medium in Moorooka, which feeds the insurance estimate. The catchment state school scores 9.5 in Tarragindi against 8.2 in Moorooka, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Moorooka cumulative | Tarragindi cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $6,889 | $8,095 | $1,206 |
| Year 3 | $21,293 | $25,021 | $3,728 |
| Year 5 | $36,575 | $42,977 | $6,402 |
| Year 10 | $78,975 | $92,800 | $13,825 |
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 $6,889 per year versus $8,095 for Tarragindi, a difference of $1,206 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Moorooka and Tarragindi?
Annual council rates for a house are $950 in Moorooka (Brisbane City Council) and $950 in Tarragindi (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Moorooka and $1,900 in Tarragindi. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Moorooka and Tarragindi?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,289 from Moorooka and $2,145 from Tarragindi to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). 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 $78,975 and Tarragindi costs $92,800 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $13,825 in favour of Moorooka. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Moorooka and Tarragindi 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 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.