Alderley vs Wilston, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Alderley and Wilston are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 5.5 km and 4 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Wilston runs $1,512 a year cheaper than Alderley, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $17,334.
Over 10 years the gap between these two is about $17,300, about $33 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Wilston
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Alderley | Wilston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $950 | $950 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,790 | $1,328 | +$462 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $3,400 | $2,350 | +$1,050 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $3,000 | $3,200 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $8,040 | $6,528 | +$1,512 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,442 | $5,392 | +$1,050 |
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 | Alderley | Wilston | 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, Alderley vs Wilston (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Alderley and Wilston differ by $1,512 a year by car, but $1,050 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 $462, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $1,050 per year. Alderley carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $1,050 per year, $6,442 from Alderley versus $5,392 from Wilston.
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 Wilston by $462 a year, $1,328 against $1,790.
- Building insurance favours Wilston by $1,050 a year, $2,350 against $3,400.
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.
Flood risk is rated high in Wilston against medium in Alderley, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated high in Alderley against medium in Wilston, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Alderley cumulative | Wilston cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,040 | $6,528 | $1,512 |
| Year 3 | $24,851 | $20,177 | $4,674 |
| Year 5 | $42,685 | $34,658 | $8,027 |
| Year 10 | $92,170 | $74,836 | $17,334 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Alderley or Wilston cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Alderley runs $8,040 a year by car and Wilston $6,528, but most of the $1,512 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $462. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Alderley and Wilston?
Annual council rates for a house are $950 in Alderley (Brisbane City Council) and $950 in Wilston (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Alderley and $1,900 in Wilston. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Alderley and Wilston?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,790 from Alderley and $1,328 from Wilston to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Alderley and $192 from Wilston.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Alderley and Wilston?
At 3% annual cost growth, Alderley costs a cumulative $92,170 and Wilston costs $74,836 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $17,334 in favour of Wilston. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Alderley and Wilston 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.