Amberley vs Leichhardt: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Amberley and Leichhardt are both Ipswich City Council suburbs, sitting 37.1 km and 33.4 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Amberley runs $446 a year cheaper than Leichhardt, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,113.
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 →Amberley
Leichhardt
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Amberley | Leichhardt | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,298 | $1,298 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,952 | $6,798 | +$154 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,200 | $3,800 | -$600 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,200 | $2,800 | -$600 |
| Total (driving) | $13,350 | $13,796 | -$446 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,590 | $7,190 | -$600 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Amberley | Leichhardt | 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 — Amberley vs Leichhardt (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Amberley costs $446 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,113 in favour of Amberley.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $600 per year. Leichhardt carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $600 per year, $6,590 from Amberley versus $7,190 from Leichhardt.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,298 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,900 a year.
- Driving commute favours Leichhardt by $154 a year, $6,798 against $6,952.
- Building insurance favours Amberley by $600 a year, $3,200 against $3,800.
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 medium in Leichhardt against low in Amberley, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Amberley cumulative | Leichhardt cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $13,350 | $13,796 | $446 |
| Year 3 | $41,264 | $42,642 | $1,378 |
| Year 5 | $70,877 | $73,245 | $2,368 |
| Year 10 | $153,043 | $158,156 | $5,113 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Amberley or Leichhardt cheaper to live in?
Amberley is cheaper to run by car at $13,350 per year versus $13,796 for Leichhardt, a difference of $446 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Amberley and Leichhardt?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,298 in Amberley (Ipswich City Council) and $1,298 in Leichhardt (Ipswich City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Amberley and $1,900 in Leichhardt. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Amberley and Leichhardt?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,952 from Amberley and $6,798 from Leichhardt to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Amberley and $192 from Leichhardt.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Amberley and Leichhardt?
At 3% annual cost growth, Amberley costs a cumulative $153,043 and Leichhardt costs $158,156 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,113 in favour of Amberley. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Amberley and Leichhardt 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: Ipswich City Council and Ipswich 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.