Acacia Ridge vs Coopers Plains, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Acacia Ridge and Coopers Plains are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 12.9 km and 10.8 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $216 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 the gap between these two is about $2,500, about $5 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Coopers Plains
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Acacia Ridge | Coopers Plains | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $950 | $950 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $3,781 | $3,265 | +$516 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,450 | $1,750 | -$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,600 | $2,800 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $8,081 | $7,865 | +$216 |
| Total (public transport) | $4,492 | $4,792 | -$300 |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Acacia Ridge | Coopers Plains | 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, Acacia Ridge vs Coopers Plains (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Acacia Ridge and Coopers Plains differ by $216 a year by car, but $300 of that is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On the sourced costs, council rates, water and the commute, the gap is $516, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $516 per year. Acacia Ridge is 12.9 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $4,492 from Acacia Ridge versus $4,792 from Coopers Plains.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $950 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,900 a year.
- Driving commute favours Coopers Plains by $516 a year, $3,265 against $3,781.
- Building insurance favours Acacia Ridge by $300 a year, $1,450 against $1,750.
Both suburbs sit in the same council area, so the rates line is identical and none of the difference between them comes from council. What separates them is commute distance and the insurance band.
The catchment state school scores 5.3 in Coopers Plains against 4.2 in Acacia Ridge, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Acacia Ridge cumulative | Coopers Plains cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,081 | $7,865 | $216 |
| Year 3 | $24,978 | $24,310 | $668 |
| Year 5 | $42,903 | $41,756 | $1,147 |
| Year 10 | $92,640 | $90,163 | $2,477 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Acacia Ridge or Coopers Plains cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Acacia Ridge runs $8,081 a year by car and Coopers Plains $7,865, but most of the $216 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $516. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Acacia Ridge and Coopers Plains?
Annual council rates for a house are $950 in Acacia Ridge (Brisbane City Council) and $950 in Coopers Plains (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Acacia Ridge and $1,900 in Coopers Plains. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Acacia Ridge and Coopers Plains?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,781 from Acacia Ridge and $3,265 from Coopers Plains to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Acacia Ridge and $192 from Coopers Plains.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Acacia Ridge and Coopers Plains?
At 3% annual cost growth, Acacia Ridge costs a cumulative $92,640 and Coopers Plains costs $90,163 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,477 in favour of Coopers Plains. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Acacia Ridge and Coopers Plains suits you better?
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Sources: Brisbane City Council and Brisbane City Council rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.