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Map of Carina Heights
7.7 km from CBD
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True annual cost of living in Carina Heights, QLD 4152

Living in a house in Carina Heights costs about $8,182 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. Carina Heights sits 7.7 kilometres from Brisbane CBD. Unit costs reach $8,850, with the $2,700 body corporate levy accounting for the entire difference between the two. Switching from driving to public transport saves $2,240 per year at this distance.

Last updated July 2026 · Brisbane City Council rates 2026-27, ATO 91c/km, AER electricity benchmarks

3 key insights

Running costs sit near the Brisbane City Council average, cheaper than 56% of suburbs in the region.
Home insurance is the biggest expense at $2,900, roughly 35% of the annual total.
Bushfire risk is rated high here, which lifts home insurance. Full risk detail is in the free report.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →
Lower cost
House annual cost
$8,182
Driving · per year
$682/month
Unit annual cost
$8,850
Incl. body corporate
$738/month
House vs unit difference
+$668
Unit costs more per year

Annual cost breakdown

Council rates
Brisbane City Council 2026-27 · minimum rate
$950
Water & sewerage
Queensland Urban Utilities 2026-27
$1,900
Driving commute
ATO 91c/km · 7.7km from CBD · 192 days
$2,432
Home insurance
Estimated · flood Low · fire High
$2,900
Total annual running cost
$8,182
($682/month)
Near Brisbane City Council average
SuburbCost affordability score ●●●○○ 5.1/10 Average
Cheaper to run than 56% of Brisbane City Council suburbs. Score blends running cost (50%), schools (20%) and flood & fire risk (30%).

Estimated electricity cost

typical 2-person household
House
$2,135/yr
5,126 kWh
Unit
$1,776/yr
3,845 kWh
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for Carina Heights's climate zone at 2026-27 regulated prices for its electricity network. Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.

Getting around Carina Heights

within a 2 km walk
Nearest stop
Carindale Shopping Centre interchange, 1,249 m away, about a 16 minute walk. It is a bus stop.
Nearest hospital
Belmont Private Hospital, 1,074 m away, about a 13 minute walk.
Supermarkets
6
Cafes
6
Parks
32
Counted from OpenStreetMap via Overpass inside a 2 km walking radius of the suburb centre, built 2026-08-07. Distances are straight line from that centre, so a specific address can be closer or further. Mapping is contributed and can lag a new opening.

Compare Carina Heights with another suburb

Frequently asked questions about Carina Heights

Is it cheaper to drive or take public transport from Carina Heights to the CBD?

Public transport saves Carina Heights residents $2,240 per year. Annual commute cost by car is $2,432 versus $192 by public transport using Translink's flat 50 cent fare.

What are the council rates in Carina Heights?

Carina Heights falls under Brisbane City Council. The minimum residential general rate for 2026-27 is $950 per year for an owner-occupied house. Properties on higher land value pay more. Unit owners in strata schemes pay $1,138 per year. These figures cover the general rate only and exclude waste and cleansing charges.

What does it cost to run a unit in Carina Heights?

Running a unit in Carina Heights costs approximately $8,850 per year by car or $6,610 by public transport. This includes council rates of $1,138, water and sewerage $1,900, estimated body corporate levy of $2,700, and contents insurance of $680. Body corporate fees vary significantly between buildings. Always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.

Is Carina Heights close to public transport?

The nearest scheduled service to the centre of Carina Heights is Carindale Shopping Centre interchange, a bus stop about 1,249 m away, about a 16 minute walk. That is measured from the suburb centre, so an individual address can be nearer or further. The commute figure used in the running cost on this page assumes driving, not this service.

What is the closest hospital to Carina Heights?

The closest hospital to the centre of Carina Heights is Belmont Private Hospital, about 1,074 m away, about a 13 minute walk. Distance is straight line from the suburb centre and does not account for the road route or whether the hospital has an emergency department.

What shops and parks are in Carina Heights?

Within a 2 km walk of the centre of Carina Heights there are 6 supermarkets, 6 cafes and 32 parks. These counts come from OpenStreetMap via Overpass, which is contributed mapping and can lag a recent opening or closure.

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Data sources: Council rates: Brisbane City Council 2026-27. Water: Queensland Urban Utilities 2026-27. Commute: ATO cents per kilometre rate 2026–27 (91c/km). Insurance: AI-estimated, disclosed as estimate. Schools: ACARA ICSEA 2025. Risk: Queensland Globe, QFES. Data updated 2026-07.
Cost estimates are for comparison purposes only and do not constitute financial, insurance, or credit advice.