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 $1,362 a year cheaper than Alderley, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $15,614.
Over 10 years, Wilston costs about $15,600 less to run than Alderley — the same as paying $15,600 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Alderley
Wilston
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Alderley | Wilston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $950 | $950 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $1,790 | $1,328 | +$462 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,900 | $2,000 | +$900 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $3,000 | $3,200 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $7,540 | $6,178 | +$1,362 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,942 | $5,042 | +$900 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; 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
Wilston costs $1,362 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $15,614 in favour of Wilston.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $900 per year. Alderley carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $900 per year, $5,942 from Alderley versus $5,042 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 $900 a year, $2,000 against $2,900.
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 | $7,540 | $6,178 | $1,362 |
| Year 3 | $23,305 | $19,096 | $4,209 |
| Year 5 | $40,031 | $32,800 | $7,231 |
| Year 10 | $86,438 | $70,824 | $15,614 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Alderley or Wilston cheaper to live in?
Wilston is cheaper to run by car at $6,178 per year versus $7,540 for Alderley, a difference of $1,362 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. 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 $86,438 and Wilston costs $70,824 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $15,614 in favour of Wilston. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Alderley and Wilston 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: 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 AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.