Morningside vs Seven Hills: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Morningside and Seven Hills are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 5.1 km and 5.4 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Morningside runs $1,088 a year cheaper than Seven Hills, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $12,472.
Over 10 years, Morningside costs about $12,500 less to run than Seven Hills — the same as paying $12,500 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Seven Hills
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Morningside | Seven Hills | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,579 | $1,579 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $1,614 | $1,702 | -$88 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,800 | $2,800 | -$1,000 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $3,000 | $2,800 | +$200 |
| Total (driving) | $6,893 | $7,981 | -$1,088 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,471 | $6,471 | -$1,000 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Morningside | Seven Hills | 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 — Morningside vs Seven Hills (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Morningside costs $1,088 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $12,472 in favour of Morningside.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $1,000 per year.
On public transport the gap is $1,000 per year, $5,471 from Morningside versus $6,471 from Seven Hills.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Morningside cumulative | Seven Hills cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $6,893 | $7,981 | $1,088 |
| Year 3 | $21,306 | $24,668 | $3,362 |
| Year 5 | $36,596 | $42,372 | $5,776 |
| Year 10 | $79,021 | $91,493 | $12,472 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Morningside or Seven Hills cheaper to live in?
Morningside is cheaper to run by car at $6,893 per year versus $7,981 for Seven Hills, a difference of $1,088 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Morningside and Seven Hills?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,579 in Morningside (Brisbane City Council) and $1,579 in Seven Hills (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Morningside and $1,900 in Seven Hills. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Morningside and Seven Hills?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,614 from Morningside and $1,702 from Seven Hills to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Morningside and $192 from Seven Hills.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Morningside and Seven Hills?
At 3% annual cost growth, Morningside costs a cumulative $79,021 and Seven Hills costs $91,493 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $12,472 in favour of Morningside. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Morningside and Seven Hills 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.