Tallai vs Worongary: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Tallai and Worongary are both City of Gold Coast suburbs, sitting 11.3 km and 8.5 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Worongary runs $312 a year cheaper than Tallai, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,576.
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 →Tallai
Worongary
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Tallai | Worongary | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,359 | $1,359 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,169 | $2,169 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,279 | $2,567 | +$712 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,000 | $3,400 | -$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,400 | $2,800 | -$400 |
| Total (driving) | $9,807 | $9,495 | +$312 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,720 | $7,120 | -$400 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Tallai | Worongary | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $1,976 | $1,976 | - |
| Unit | $1,591 | $1,591 | - |
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 — Tallai vs Worongary (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Worongary costs $312 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,576 in favour of Worongary.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $712 per year. Tallai is 11.3 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $6,720 from Tallai versus $7,120 from Worongary.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Tallai cumulative | Worongary cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,807 | $9,495 | $312 |
| Year 3 | $30,312 | $29,348 | $964 |
| Year 5 | $52,067 | $50,410 | $1,657 |
| Year 10 | $112,426 | $108,850 | $3,576 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Tallai or Worongary cheaper to live in?
Worongary is cheaper to run by car at $9,495 per year versus $9,807 for Tallai, a difference of $312 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Tallai and Worongary?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,359 in Tallai (City of Gold Coast) and $1,359 in Worongary (City of Gold Coast). Water and sewerage adds $2,169 in Tallai and $2,169 in Worongary. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Tallai and Worongary?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,279 from Tallai and $2,567 from Worongary to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Tallai and $192 from Worongary.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Tallai and Worongary?
At 3% annual cost growth, Tallai costs a cumulative $112,426 and Worongary costs $108,850 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,576 in favour of Worongary. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Tallai and Worongary 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: City of Gold Coast and City of Gold Coast 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.