Tingalpa vs Wakerley: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Tingalpa and Wakerley are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 10.1 km and 13.2 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Tingalpa runs $543 a year cheaper than Wakerley, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,225.
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 →Tingalpa
Wakerley
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Tingalpa | Wakerley | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,579 | $1,579 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,982 | $3,725 | -$743 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,000 | $2,800 | +$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,400 | $2,800 | -$400 |
| Total (driving) | $9,461 | $10,004 | -$543 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,671 | $6,471 | +$200 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Tingalpa | Wakerley | 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 — Tingalpa vs Wakerley (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Tingalpa costs $543 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $6,225 in favour of Tingalpa.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $743 per year. Wakerley is 13.2 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the gap is $200 per year, $6,671 from Tingalpa versus $6,471 from Wakerley.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Tingalpa cumulative | Wakerley cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,461 | $10,004 | $543 |
| Year 3 | $29,243 | $30,921 | $1,678 |
| Year 5 | $50,230 | $53,113 | $2,883 |
| Year 10 | $108,460 | $114,685 | $6,225 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Tingalpa or Wakerley cheaper to live in?
Tingalpa is cheaper to run by car at $9,461 per year versus $10,004 for Wakerley, a difference of $543 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Tingalpa and Wakerley?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,579 in Tingalpa (Brisbane City Council) and $1,579 in Wakerley (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Tingalpa and $1,900 in Wakerley. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Tingalpa and Wakerley?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,982 from Tingalpa and $3,725 from Wakerley to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Tingalpa and $192 from Wakerley.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Tingalpa and Wakerley?
At 3% annual cost growth, Tingalpa costs a cumulative $108,460 and Wakerley costs $114,685 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,225 in favour of Tingalpa. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Tingalpa and Wakerley 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.
Related comparisons
Sources: Brisbane City Council and Brisbane City Council 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.