True annual cost of living in North Lakes, QLD 4509
Living in a house in North Lakes costs about $11,220 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. North Lakes sits 27.6 kilometres from Brisbane CBD. Unit costs reach $13,090, with the $2,800 body corporate levy accounting for the entire difference between the two. At 27.6km from the CBD, transport mode shifts the annual total by $6,125. The gap widens as commute costs rise.
About $216 a week to run a house here, including estimates
Unit annual cost
$13,090
Incl. body corporate
$1,091/month
About $252 a week to run a unit here, including estimates
House vs unit difference
+$1,870
Unit costs more per year
Annual cost breakdown
Council rates
Official, 2026-27 Moreton Bay Regional Council
$1,309
Water & sewerage
Official, 2026-27 Unitywater (Moreton Bay)
$2,144
Driving commute
Modelled, 2026-27 ATO 91c/km · 27.6km from CBD · 192 days
$6,317
Home insurance
Estimated flood Low · fire Medium
$1,450
Body corporate
Estimated
$2,800
Total annual running cost
$11,220
($935/month, $216/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).
Near Moreton Bay Regional Council average
SuburbCost affordability score ●●●○○5.5/10 Average
Cheaper to run than 48% of Moreton Bay Regional 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 North Lakes'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 North Lakes
within a 2 km walk
Nearest stop
North Lakes station, 1,789 m away, about a 22 minute walk. It is a bus stop.
Nearest hospital
North Lakes Day Hospital, 2,046 m away, about a 26 minute walk.
Supermarkets
3
Cafes
9
Parks
95
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 North Lakes to the CBD?
Public transport saves North Lakes residents $6,125 per year. Annual commute cost by car is $6,317 versus $192 by public transport using Translink's flat 50 cent fare.
What are the council rates in North Lakes?
North Lakes falls under Moreton Bay Regional Council. The minimum residential general rate for 2026-27 is $1,309 per year for an owner-occupied house. Properties on higher land value pay more. Unit owners in strata schemes pay $1,309 per year. These figures cover the general rate only and exclude waste and cleansing charges.
What does it cost to run a unit in North Lakes?
Running a unit in North Lakes costs approximately $13,090 per year by car or $6,965 by public transport. This includes council rates of $1,309, water and sewerage $2,144, estimated body corporate levy of $2,800, and contents insurance of $520. Body corporate fees vary significantly between buildings. Always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.
Is North Lakes close to public transport?
The nearest scheduled service to the centre of North Lakes is North Lakes station, a bus stop about 1,789 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 is the closest hospital to North Lakes?
The closest hospital to the centre of North Lakes is North Lakes Day Hospital, about 2,046 m away, about a 26 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 North Lakes?
Within a 2 km walk of the centre of North Lakes there are 3 supermarkets, 9 cafes and 95 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
Crime risk ratings
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Data sources: Council rates: Moreton Bay Regional Council 2026-27. Water: Unitywater (Moreton Bay) 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.