Alexandra Hills vs Cleveland: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Alexandra Hills and Cleveland are both Redland City Council suburbs, sitting 21.3 km and 24.9 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Alexandra Hills runs $314 a year cheaper than Cleveland, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,599.
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 →Alexandra Hills
Cleveland
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Alexandra Hills | Cleveland | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,436 | $1,436 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,308 | $2,308 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,281 | $5,795 | -$514 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,100 | $2,900 | +$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,800 | $2,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $12,125 | $12,439 | -$314 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,036 | $6,836 | +$200 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Alexandra Hills | Cleveland | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $1,976 | $1,976 | - |
| Unit | $1,591 | $1,591 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2025 rates (QLD 30c/kWh, NSW 33c/kWh incl. supply charge; 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 Cleveland (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Alexandra Hills costs $314 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,599 in favour of Alexandra Hills.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $514 per year. Cleveland is 24.9 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the gap is $200 per year, $7,036 from Alexandra Hills versus $6,836 from Cleveland.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Alexandra Hills cumulative | Cleveland cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,125 | $12,439 | $314 |
| Year 3 | $37,477 | $38,448 | $971 |
| Year 5 | $64,373 | $66,040 | $1,667 |
| Year 10 | $139,000 | $142,599 | $3,599 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Alexandra Hills or Cleveland cheaper to live in?
Alexandra Hills is cheaper to run by car at $12,125 per year versus $12,439 for Cleveland, a difference of $314 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Alexandra Hills and Cleveland?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,436 in Alexandra Hills (Redland City Council) and $1,436 in Cleveland (Redland City Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,308 in Alexandra Hills and $2,308 in Cleveland. 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 Cleveland?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,281 from Alexandra Hills and $5,795 from Cleveland to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Alexandra Hills and $192 from Cleveland.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Alexandra Hills and Cleveland?
At 3% annual cost growth, Alexandra Hills costs a cumulative $139,000 and Cleveland costs $142,599 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,599 in favour of Alexandra Hills. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Alexandra Hills and Cleveland 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: Redland City Council and Redland City Council rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.