Ningi vs Toorbul: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Ningi and Toorbul are both Moreton Bay Regional Council suburbs, sitting 44.7 km and 47.9 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Ningi runs $524 a year cheaper than Toorbul, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,007.
Over 10 years these two cost about the same to run. The difference here isn't money — it's location, schools and lifestyle.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Ningi
Toorbul
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Ningi | Toorbul | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,309 | $1,309 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,144 | $2,144 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,892 | $6,716 | +$176 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,100 | $3,800 | -$700 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $13,445 | $13,969 | -$524 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,745 | $7,445 | -$700 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Ningi | Toorbul | 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 — Ningi vs Toorbul (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Ningi costs $524 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $6,007 in favour of Ningi.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $700 per year. Toorbul carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $700 per year, $6,745 from Ningi versus $7,445 from Toorbul.
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 Toorbul by $176 a year, $6,716 against $6,892.
- Building insurance favours Ningi by $700 a year, $3,100 against $3,800.
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 Toorbul against low in Ningi, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Ningi cumulative | Toorbul cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $13,445 | $13,969 | $524 |
| Year 3 | $41,557 | $43,177 | $1,620 |
| Year 5 | $71,381 | $74,163 | $2,782 |
| Year 10 | $154,132 | $160,139 | $6,007 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ningi or Toorbul cheaper to live in?
Ningi is cheaper to run by car at $13,445 per year versus $13,969 for Toorbul, a difference of $524 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Ningi and Toorbul?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,309 in Ningi (Moreton Bay Regional Council) and $1,309 in Toorbul (Moreton Bay Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,144 in Ningi and $2,144 in Toorbul. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Ningi and Toorbul?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,892 from Ningi and $6,716 from Toorbul to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Ningi and $192 from Toorbul.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Ningi and Toorbul?
At 3% annual cost growth, Ningi costs a cumulative $154,132 and Toorbul costs $160,139 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,007 in favour of Ningi. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Ningi and Toorbul 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: 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 AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.