Murrumba Downs vs North Lakes, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Murrumba Downs and North Lakes are both Moreton Bay Regional Council suburbs, sitting 22.5 km and 27.6 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $16 a year of each other to run, so running cost is a minor factor here. The decision comes down to schools, risk and lifestyle, all in the free report.
Over 10 years these two cost about the same to run.
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North Lakes
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Murrumba Downs | North Lakes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,309 | $1,309 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,144 | $2,144 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $5,651 | $6,317 | -$666 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,100 | $1,450 | +$650 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,400 | $2,800 | -$400 |
| Total (driving) | $11,204 | $11,220 | -$16 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,745 | $5,095 | +$650 |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Murrumba Downs | North Lakes | 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, Murrumba Downs vs North Lakes (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Murrumba Downs and North Lakes cost within $16 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $184, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $666 per year. North Lakes is 27.6 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $650 per year, $5,745 from Murrumba Downs versus $5,095 from North Lakes.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,309 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $2,144 a year.
- Driving commute favours Murrumba Downs by $666 a year, $5,651 against $6,317.
- Building insurance favours North Lakes by $650 a year, $1,450 against $2,100.
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.
Flood risk is rated medium in Murrumba Downs against low in North Lakes, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Murrumba Downs cumulative | North Lakes cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,204 | $11,220 | $16 |
| Year 3 | $34,630 | $34,680 | $50 |
| Year 5 | $59,484 | $59,569 | $85 |
| Year 10 | $128,441 | $128,625 | $184 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Murrumba Downs or North Lakes cheaper to live in?
Murrumba Downs is cheaper to run by car at $11,204 per year versus $11,220 for North Lakes, a difference of $16 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Murrumba Downs and North Lakes?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,309 in Murrumba Downs (Moreton Bay Regional Council) and $1,309 in North Lakes (Moreton Bay Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,144 in Murrumba Downs and $2,144 in North Lakes. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Murrumba Downs and North Lakes?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,651 from Murrumba Downs and $6,317 from North Lakes to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Murrumba Downs and $192 from North Lakes.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Murrumba Downs and North Lakes?
At 3% annual cost growth, Murrumba Downs costs a cumulative $128,441 and North Lakes costs $128,625 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $184 in favour of Murrumba Downs. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Murrumba Downs and North Lakes suits you better?
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Sources: Moreton Bay Regional Council and Moreton Bay Regional Council rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.