Windaroo vs Yatala: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Windaroo (Logan City Council) and Yatala (City of Gold Coast) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas.
The two sit within $21 a year of each other to run, so running cost is a minor factor here. The decision comes down to schools, risk and lifestyle, all in the free report.
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 →Windaroo
Yatala
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Windaroo | Yatala | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,699 | $1,359 | +$340 |
| Water & sewerage | $2,149 | $2,169 | -$20 |
| Commute (driving) | $6,876 | $6,525 | +$351 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,200 | $2,850 | -$650 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,200 | $1,900 | +$300 |
| Total (driving) | $12,924 | $12,903 | +$21 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,240 | $6,570 | -$330 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Windaroo | Yatala | 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 — Windaroo vs Yatala (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Windaroo and Yatala cost within $21 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $241, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $650 per year.
On public transport the gap is $330 per year, $6,240 from Windaroo versus $6,570 from Yatala.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Yatala by $340 a year, $1,359 against $1,699.
- Water and sewerage favours Windaroo by $20 a year, $2,149 against $2,169.
- Driving commute favours Yatala by $351 a year, $6,525 against $6,876.
- Building insurance favours Windaroo by $650 a year, $2,200 against $2,850.
They sit in different council areas, so the rates line is set by two different councils. For QLD that figure is the minimum residential general rate for an owner-occupied principal place of residence, a floor rather than a typical bill.
Fire risk is rated high in Yatala against medium in Windaroo, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Windaroo cumulative | Yatala cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,924 | $12,903 | $21 |
| Year 3 | $39,947 | $39,882 | $65 |
| Year 5 | $68,615 | $68,504 | $111 |
| Year 10 | $148,159 | $147,918 | $241 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Windaroo or Yatala cheaper to live in?
Yatala is cheaper to run by car at $12,903 per year versus $12,924 for Windaroo, a difference of $21 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Windaroo and Yatala?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,699 in Windaroo (Logan City Council) and $1,359 in Yatala (City of Gold Coast). Water and sewerage adds $2,149 in Windaroo and $2,169 in Yatala. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Windaroo and Yatala?
Windaroo is $6,876 a year to drive to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Yatala is $6,525 a year to drive to Gold Coast CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Windaroo and $192 from Yatala.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Windaroo and Yatala?
At 3% annual cost growth, Windaroo costs a cumulative $148,159 and Yatala costs $147,918 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $241 in favour of Yatala. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Windaroo and Yatala 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: Logan City Council and City of Gold Coast 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.