Tingalpa vs Wakerley, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/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 $518 a year cheaper than Wakerley, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,938.
Over 10 years, Tingalpa costs about $5,900 less to run than Wakerley. That's about $11 a week.
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Wakerley
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Tingalpa | Wakerley | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $950 | $950 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $3,084 | $3,852 | -$768 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $3,100 | $2,850 | +$250 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,400 | $2,800 | -$400 |
| Total (driving) | $9,034 | $9,552 | -$518 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,142 | $5,892 | +$250 |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Tingalpa | Wakerley | 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, Tingalpa vs Wakerley (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Tingalpa costs $518 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,938 in favour of Tingalpa.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $768 per year. Wakerley is 13.2 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $250 per year, $6,142 from Tingalpa versus $5,892 from Wakerley.
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 Tingalpa by $768 a year, $3,084 against $3,852.
- Building insurance favours Wakerley by $250 a year, $2,850 against $3,100.
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 | Tingalpa cumulative | Wakerley cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,034 | $9,552 | $518 |
| Year 3 | $27,923 | $29,524 | $1,601 |
| Year 5 | $47,963 | $50,713 | $2,750 |
| Year 10 | $103,565 | $109,503 | $5,938 |
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 $9,034 per year versus $9,552 for Wakerley, a difference of $518 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Tingalpa and Wakerley?
Annual council rates for a house are $950 in Tingalpa (Brisbane City Council) and $950 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 $3,084 from Tingalpa and $3,852 from Wakerley to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/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 $103,565 and Wakerley costs $109,503 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,938 in favour of Tingalpa. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Tingalpa and Wakerley suits you better?
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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 insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.