True annual cost of living in Manly West, QLD 4179
Living in a house in Manly West costs about $9,236 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. Manly West sits 14.0 kilometres from Brisbane CBD. Unit costs reach $10,234, with the $2,600 body corporate levy accounting for the entire difference between the two. Switching from driving to public transport saves $3,844 per year at this distance.
About $178 a week to run a house here, including estimates
Unit annual cost
$10,234
Incl. body corporate
$853/month
About $197 a week to run a unit here, including estimates
House vs unit difference
+$998
Unit costs more per year
Annual cost breakdown
Council rates
Official, 2026-27 Brisbane City Council
$950
Water & sewerage
Official, 2026-27 Queensland Urban Utilities
$1,900
Driving commute
Modelled, 2026-27 ATO 91c/km · 14.0km from CBD · 192 days
$4,036
Home insurance
Estimated flood Low · fire Medium
$2,350
Body corporate
Estimated
$2,600
Total annual running cost
$9,236
($770/month, $178/week)
Excludes electricity, estimated separately below. Also excludes the state Emergency Management Levy on your rates notice, $260 a year here (levy class A, 2026-27).
↑ 14% above Brisbane City Council average
SuburbCost affordability score ●●●●○7.0/10 Good
Cheaper to run than 76% 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 Manly West'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 Manly West
within a 2 km walk
Nearest stop
Manly station, stop 85, 1,744 m away, about a 22 minute walk. It is a bus stop.
Supermarkets
5
Cafes
1
Parks
56
Counted from OpenStreetMap via Overpass inside a 2 km walking radius of the suburb centre, built 2026-11-03. 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.
Is it cheaper to drive or take public transport from Manly West to the CBD?
Public transport saves Manly West residents $3,844 per year. Annual commute cost by car is $4,036 versus $192 by public transport using Translink's flat 50 cent fare.
What are the council rates in Manly West?
Manly West 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 Manly West?
Running a unit in Manly West costs approximately $10,234 per year by car or $6,390 by public transport. This includes council rates of $1,138, water and sewerage $1,900, estimated body corporate levy of $2,600, and contents insurance of $560. Body corporate fees vary significantly between buildings. Always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.
Is Manly West close to public transport?
The nearest scheduled service to the centre of Manly West is Manly station, stop 85, a bus stop about 1,744 m away, about a 22 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 shops and parks are in Manly West?
Within a 2 km walk of the centre of Manly West there are 5 supermarkets, 1 cafe and 56 parks. These counts come from OpenStreetMap via Overpass, which is contributed mapping and can lag a recent opening or closure.
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Annual cost breakdown
10-year cost projection
School scores & catchments
Flood & fire risk ratings
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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: estimated from ACCC 2026 premium rates for the area's cyclone risk on a standard $600,000 home, adjusted for flood and fire, disclosed as estimate. Schools: ACARA ICSEA 2025. Risk: Queensland Globe, QFES. Data last verified September 2026. Cost estimates are for comparison purposes only and do not constitute financial, insurance, or credit advice.