Alexandra Hills vs Capalaba, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Alexandra Hills and Capalaba are both Redland City Council suburbs, sitting 21.3 km and 19.3 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Capalaba runs $644 a year cheaper than Alexandra Hills, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $7,383.
Over 10 years, Capalaba costs about $7,400 less to run than Alexandra Hills. That's about $14 a week.
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Capalaba
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Alexandra Hills | Capalaba | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,436 | $1,436 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,308 | $2,308 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $5,461 | $5,117 | +$344 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,250 | $1,950 | +$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,800 | $2,600 | +$200 |
| Total (driving) | $11,455 | $10,811 | +$644 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,186 | $5,886 | +$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 | Alexandra Hills | Capalaba | 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, Alexandra Hills vs Capalaba (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Capalaba costs $644 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $7,383 in favour of Capalaba.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $344 per year. Alexandra Hills is 21.3 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, $6,186 from Alexandra Hills versus $5,886 from Capalaba.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,436 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $2,308 a year.
- Driving commute favours Capalaba by $344 a year, $5,117 against $5,461.
- Building insurance favours Capalaba by $300 a year, $1,950 against $2,250.
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 | Alexandra Hills cumulative | Capalaba cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,455 | $10,811 | $644 |
| Year 3 | $35,406 | $33,416 | $1,990 |
| Year 5 | $60,816 | $57,397 | $3,419 |
| Year 10 | $131,319 | $123,936 | $7,383 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Alexandra Hills or Capalaba cheaper to live in?
Capalaba is cheaper to run by car at $10,811 per year versus $11,455 for Alexandra Hills, a difference of $644 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Alexandra Hills and Capalaba?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,436 in Alexandra Hills (Redland City Council) and $1,436 in Capalaba (Redland City Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,308 in Alexandra Hills and $2,308 in Capalaba. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Alexandra Hills and Capalaba?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,461 from Alexandra Hills and $5,117 from Capalaba to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Alexandra Hills and $192 from Capalaba.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Alexandra Hills and Capalaba?
At 3% annual cost growth, Alexandra Hills costs a cumulative $131,319 and Capalaba costs $123,936 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $7,383 in favour of Capalaba. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Alexandra Hills and Capalaba suits you better?
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Sources: Redland City Council and Redland 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.