About Blog Suburbs

Wavell Heights vs Nundah

Annual running cost comparison for Brisbane home buyers · 2025–26 data

Data updated July 2025 · Council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance

Quick verdict: Wavell Heights and Nundah sit within $84 of each other annually, less than $7 per month. Commute direction, school scores, and risk profile will drive the decision more than cost. Nundah scores 8.4/10 on schools versus 4.0/10 for Wavell Heights. Nundah has lower combined flood and fire risk.

Annual running cost breakdown

Cost component Wavell Heights Nundah
Council rates $1,519 $1,519
Water & sewerage $1,824 $1,824
Annual commute (driving) $735 $701
Home insurance (estimated) $1,850 $1,800
Total annual cost $5,928 $5,844
Distance to CBD 8.7 km 8.3 km

Teal = lower cost. Council rates from Brisbane City Council 2025-26 and Brisbane City Council 2025-26. Commute uses ATO 88c/km over ABS annual kilometres by location class. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary.

Cost breakdown detail

Both suburbs fall under Brisbane City Council 2025-26, paying the same general rate of $1,519 per year.

Driving commute costs are similar: $735 per year from Wavell Heights and $701 from Nundah to Brisbane CBD.

Schools and risk profile

Factor Wavell Heights Nundah
School score (ICSEA) 4.0/10 8.4/10
Nearest state primary Wavell Heights State School Nundah State School
Nearest private school Our Lady of the Angels' School St Joseph's School
Flood risk Low Low
Fire risk Medium Low

Nundah has the stronger school profile at 8.4/10 versus 4.0/10 for Wavell Heights (ICSEA scale, higher = better). Nearest state primaries: Wavell Heights State School (Wavell Heights) and Nundah State School (Nundah).

Wavell Heights carries low flood risk and medium fire risk. Nundah has low flood risk and low fire risk. Source: Queensland Globe and QFES mapping.

Who each suburb suits

Choose Wavell Heights if you
  • Buyers drawn to Wavell Heights's location relative to work and family
Choose Nundah if you
  • Buyers watching costs: Nundah saves $84 per year
  • City commuters: 8.3 km to CBD vs 8.7 km
  • Families prioritising school scores: 8.4/10
  • Buyers who want lower flood and fire risk

Frequently asked questions

  1. Which is cheaper to live in, Wavell Heights or Nundah?

    Wavell Heights and Nundah are within $84 of each other annually for a house. At that margin, commute direction and school scores will drive the decision more than running cost.

  2. How far is Wavell Heights from Brisbane CBD compared to Nundah?

    Wavell Heights is 8.7 km from Brisbane CBD. Nundah is 8.3 km from Brisbane CBD. Annual driving commute costs are $735 and $701 respectively, using the ATO 88 cents per kilometre rate over standard working days.

  3. Which suburb has better schools, Wavell Heights or Nundah?

    Nundah rates higher on ICSEA school quality data at 8.4/10 versus 4.0/10 for Wavell Heights. The nearest state primary in Wavell Heights is Wavell Heights State School; in Nundah it is Nundah State School. Source: ACARA ICSEA 2025.

  4. What are the flood and fire risks in Wavell Heights versus Nundah?

    Wavell Heights has low flood risk and medium fire risk. Nundah has low flood risk and low fire risk. Source: Queensland Globe flood mapping and QFES bushfire prone land data.

  5. What are council rates in Wavell Heights compared to Nundah?

    Annual council rates for a house in Wavell Heights are $1,519 (Brisbane City Council 2025-26). In Nundah the rate is $1,519 (Brisbane City Council 2025-26). Water and sewerage charges add $1,824 in Wavell Heights and $1,824 in Nundah per year.

  6. Is Wavell Heights or Nundah better for families?

    Nundah scores 8.4/10 on schools and has lower flood and fire risk. For families running both checks, it wins on both counts.

Individual suburb profiles

See full annual cost breakdowns, 10-year projections, and school details on each suburb's profile page.

Compare up to five suburbs side by side

Get a free 5-page PDF report with cost breakdown, 10-year projection, school scores, and AI suburb recommendations.

Generate free comparison report →