Murray vs Roseneath: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Murray and Roseneath are both Townsville City Council suburbs, sitting 8.6 km and 10.8 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Murray runs $563 a year cheaper than Roseneath, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,454.
Over 10 years these two cost about the same to run. The difference here isn't money — it's location, schools and lifestyle.
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Roseneath
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Murray | Roseneath | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,343 | $1,343 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,099 | $2,099 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,594 | $3,157 | -$563 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $4,200 | $4,200 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,200 | $2,000 | +$200 |
| Total (driving) | $10,236 | $10,799 | -$563 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,834 | $7,834 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Murray | Roseneath | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,218 | $2,218 | - |
| Unit | $1,773 | $1,773 | - |
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 — Murray vs Roseneath (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Murray costs $563 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $6,454 in favour of Murray.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $563 per year. Roseneath is 10.8 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,834 and $7,834 a year, so the $563 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Murray cumulative | Roseneath cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,236 | $10,799 | $563 |
| Year 3 | $31,638 | $33,379 | $1,741 |
| Year 5 | $54,344 | $57,333 | $2,989 |
| Year 10 | $117,344 | $123,798 | $6,454 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Murray or Roseneath cheaper to live in?
Murray is cheaper to run by car at $10,236 per year versus $10,799 for Roseneath, a difference of $563 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Murray and Roseneath?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,343 in Murray (Townsville City Council) and $1,343 in Roseneath (Townsville City Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,099 in Murray and $2,099 in Roseneath. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Murray and Roseneath?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,594 from Murray and $3,157 from Roseneath to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Murray and $192 from Roseneath.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Murray and Roseneath?
At 3% annual cost growth, Murray costs a cumulative $117,344 and Roseneath costs $123,798 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,454 in favour of Murray. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Murray and Roseneath 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: Townsville City Council and Townsville 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.