Nundah vs Wavell Heights: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Nundah and Wavell Heights are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 8.3 km and 8.7 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $159 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. 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 →Nundah
Wavell Heights
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Nundah | Wavell Heights | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $950 | $950 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,600 | $2,709 | -$109 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,800 | $1,850 | -$50 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $3,000 | $2,800 | +$200 |
| Total (driving) | $7,250 | $7,409 | -$159 |
| Total (public transport) | $4,842 | $4,892 | -$50 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Nundah | Wavell Heights | 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 — Nundah vs Wavell Heights (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Nundah and Wavell Heights cost within $159 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,823, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $109 per year. Wavell Heights is 8.7 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $4,842 and $4,892 a year, so the $159 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
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 Nundah by $109 a year, $2,600 against $2,709.
- Building insurance favours Nundah by $50 a year, $1,800 against $1,850.
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 medium in Wavell Heights against low in Nundah, which feeds the insurance estimate. The catchment state school scores 8.4 in Nundah against 5.6 in Wavell Heights, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Nundah cumulative | Wavell Heights cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,250 | $7,409 | $159 |
| Year 3 | $22,409 | $22,900 | $491 |
| Year 5 | $38,491 | $39,335 | $844 |
| Year 10 | $83,113 | $84,936 | $1,823 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Nundah or Wavell Heights cheaper to live in?
Nundah is cheaper to run by car at $7,250 per year versus $7,409 for Wavell Heights, a difference of $159 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Nundah and Wavell Heights?
Annual council rates for a house are $950 in Nundah (Brisbane City Council) and $950 in Wavell Heights (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Nundah and $1,900 in Wavell Heights. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Nundah and Wavell Heights?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,600 from Nundah and $2,709 from Wavell Heights to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Nundah and $192 from Wavell Heights.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Nundah and Wavell Heights?
At 3% annual cost growth, Nundah costs a cumulative $83,113 and Wavell Heights costs $84,936 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,823 in favour of Nundah. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Nundah and Wavell Heights 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: 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.