Samford Valley vs Yugar: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Samford Valley and Yugar are both Moreton Bay Regional Council suburbs, sitting 19.1 km and 20.5 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Samford Valley runs $448 a year cheaper than Yugar, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,136.
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 →Samford Valley
Yugar
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Samford Valley | Yugar | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,309 | $1,309 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,144 | $2,144 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,080 | $5,328 | -$248 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,200 | $3,400 | -$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,200 | $2,000 | +$200 |
| Total (driving) | $11,733 | $12,181 | -$448 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,845 | $7,045 | -$200 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Samford Valley | Yugar | 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 — Samford Valley vs Yugar (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Samford Valley costs $448 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,136 in favour of Samford Valley.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $248 per year. Yugar is 20.5 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $200 per year, $6,845 from Samford Valley versus $7,045 from Yugar.
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 Samford Valley by $248 a year, $5,080 against $5,328.
- Building insurance favours Samford Valley by $200 a year, $3,200 against $3,400.
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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Samford Valley cumulative | Yugar cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,733 | $12,181 | $448 |
| Year 3 | $36,266 | $37,650 | $1,384 |
| Year 5 | $62,292 | $64,671 | $2,379 |
| Year 10 | $134,506 | $139,642 | $5,136 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Samford Valley or Yugar cheaper to live in?
Samford Valley is cheaper to run by car at $11,733 per year versus $12,181 for Yugar, a difference of $448 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Samford Valley and Yugar?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,309 in Samford Valley (Moreton Bay Regional Council) and $1,309 in Yugar (Moreton Bay Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,144 in Samford Valley and $2,144 in Yugar. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Samford Valley and Yugar?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,080 from Samford Valley and $5,328 from Yugar to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Samford Valley and $192 from Yugar.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Samford Valley and Yugar?
At 3% annual cost growth, Samford Valley costs a cumulative $134,506 and Yugar costs $139,642 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,136 in favour of Samford Valley. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Samford Valley and Yugar 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.