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 $552 a year cheaper than Eatons Hill, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,328.
Over 10 years, Albany Creek costs about $6,300 less to run than Eatons Hill. That's about $12 a week.
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Eatons Hill
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Albany Creek | Eatons Hill | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,309 | $1,309 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,144 | $2,144 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $4,036 | $4,638 | -$602 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,100 | $2,050 | +$50 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,600 | $2,800 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $9,589 | $10,141 | -$552 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,745 | $5,695 | +$50 |
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 | 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 $552 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $6,328 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, $5,745 and $5,695 a year, so the $552 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 $50 a year, $2,050 against $2,100.
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 | $9,589 | $10,141 | $552 |
| Year 3 | $29,639 | $31,345 | $1,706 |
| Year 5 | $50,909 | $53,840 | $2,931 |
| Year 10 | $109,927 | $116,255 | $6,328 |
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 $9,589 per year versus $10,141 for Eatons Hill, a difference of $552 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 $109,927 and Eatons Hill costs $116,255 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,328 in favour of Albany Creek. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Albany Creek and Eatons Hill suits you better?
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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 insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.