Alexandra Hills vs Ormiston, 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 Ormiston are both Redland City Council suburbs, sitting 21.3 km and 23.1 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $180 a year of each other to run, so running cost is a minor factor here. The decision comes down to schools, risk and lifestyle, all in the free report.
Over 10 years the gap between these two is about $2,100, about $4 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Ormiston
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Alexandra Hills | Ormiston | 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 | $5,741 | -$280 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,250 | $2,150 | +$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,800 | $2,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,455 | $11,635 | -$180 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,186 | $6,086 | +$100 |
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 | Ormiston | 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 Ormiston (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Alexandra Hills and Ormiston differ by $180 a year by car, but $100 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 $280, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $280 per year. Ormiston is 23.1 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, $6,186 and $6,086 a year, so the $180 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
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 Alexandra Hills by $280 a year, $5,461 against $5,741.
- Building insurance favours Ormiston by $100 a year, $2,150 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.
The catchment state school scores 7.5 in Ormiston against 5.3 in Alexandra Hills, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Alexandra Hills cumulative | Ormiston cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,455 | $11,635 | $180 |
| Year 3 | $35,406 | $35,963 | $557 |
| Year 5 | $60,816 | $61,772 | $956 |
| Year 10 | $131,319 | $133,382 | $2,063 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Alexandra Hills or Ormiston cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Alexandra Hills runs $11,455 a year by car and Ormiston $11,635, but most of the $180 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $280. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Alexandra Hills and Ormiston?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,436 in Alexandra Hills (Redland City Council) and $1,436 in Ormiston (Redland City Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,308 in Alexandra Hills and $2,308 in Ormiston. 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 Ormiston?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,461 from Alexandra Hills and $5,741 from Ormiston to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Alexandra Hills and $192 from Ormiston.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Alexandra Hills and Ormiston?
At 3% annual cost growth, Alexandra Hills costs a cumulative $131,319 and Ormiston costs $133,382 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,063 in favour of Alexandra Hills. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Alexandra Hills and Ormiston 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.