Alexandra Hills vs Thornlands: 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 Thornlands are both Redland City Council suburbs, sitting 21.3 km and 25.7 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Alexandra Hills runs $435 a year cheaper than Thornlands, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,987.
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
Thornlands
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Alexandra Hills | Thornlands | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,436 | $1,436 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,308 | $2,308 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,461 | $6,096 | -$635 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,100 | $2,900 | +$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,800 | $2,600 | +$200 |
| Total (driving) | $12,305 | $12,740 | -$435 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,036 | $6,836 | +$200 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Alexandra Hills | Thornlands | 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 Thornlands (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Alexandra Hills costs $435 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,987 in favour of Alexandra Hills.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $635 per year. Thornlands is 25.7 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $200 per year, $7,036 from Alexandra Hills versus $6,836 from Thornlands.
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 $635 a year, $5,461 against $6,096.
- Building insurance favours Thornlands by $200 a year, $2,900 against $3,100.
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 | Thornlands cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,305 | $12,740 | $435 |
| Year 3 | $38,034 | $39,378 | $1,344 |
| Year 5 | $65,329 | $67,638 | $2,309 |
| Year 10 | $141,063 | $146,050 | $4,987 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Alexandra Hills or Thornlands cheaper to live in?
Alexandra Hills is cheaper to run by car at $12,305 per year versus $12,740 for Thornlands, a difference of $435 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 Thornlands?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,436 in Alexandra Hills (Redland City Council) and $1,436 in Thornlands (Redland City Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,308 in Alexandra Hills and $2,308 in Thornlands. 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 Thornlands?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,461 from Alexandra Hills and $6,096 from Thornlands to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Alexandra Hills and $192 from Thornlands.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Alexandra Hills and Thornlands?
At 3% annual cost growth, Alexandra Hills costs a cumulative $141,063 and Thornlands costs $146,050 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,987 in favour of Alexandra Hills. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Alexandra Hills and Thornlands 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 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.