Albany Creek vs Eatons Hill: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Albany Creek and Eatons Hill are both Moreton Bay Regional Council suburbs, sitting 14 km and 16.8 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Albany Creek runs $502 a year cheaper than Eatons Hill, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,754.
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 →Albany Creek
Eatons Hill
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Albany Creek | Eatons Hill | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,309 | $1,309 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,144 | $2,144 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,036 | $4,638 | -$602 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,000 | $2,900 | +$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,600 | $2,800 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $10,489 | $10,991 | -$502 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,645 | $6,545 | +$100 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Albany Creek | Eatons Hill | 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 — Albany Creek vs Eatons Hill (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Albany Creek costs $502 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,754 in favour of Albany Creek.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $602 per year. Eatons Hill is 16.8 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $6,645 and $6,545 a year, so the $502 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,309 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $2,144 a year.
- Driving commute favours Albany Creek by $602 a year, $4,036 against $4,638.
- Building insurance favours Eatons Hill by $100 a year, $2,900 against $3,000.
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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Albany Creek cumulative | Eatons Hill cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,489 | $10,991 | $502 |
| Year 3 | $32,420 | $33,972 | $1,552 |
| Year 5 | $55,688 | $58,353 | $2,665 |
| Year 10 | $120,245 | $125,999 | $5,754 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Albany Creek or Eatons Hill cheaper to live in?
Albany Creek is cheaper to run by car at $10,489 per year versus $10,991 for Eatons Hill, a difference of $502 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Albany Creek and Eatons Hill?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,309 in Albany Creek (Moreton Bay Regional Council) and $1,309 in Eatons Hill (Moreton Bay Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,144 in Albany Creek and $2,144 in Eatons Hill. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Albany Creek and Eatons Hill?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,036 from Albany Creek and $4,638 from Eatons Hill to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Albany Creek and $192 from Eatons Hill.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Albany Creek and Eatons Hill?
At 3% annual cost growth, Albany Creek costs a cumulative $120,245 and Eatons Hill costs $125,999 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,754 in favour of Albany Creek. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Albany Creek and Eatons Hill 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: Moreton Bay Regional Council and Moreton Bay Regional Council 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.