Anstead vs Barellan Point, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Anstead (Brisbane City Council) and Barellan Point (Ipswich City Council) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Brisbane CBD (17.8 km and 21.2 km).
Anstead runs $1,056 a year cheaper than Barellan Point, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $12,106.
Over 10 years, Anstead costs about $12,100 less to run than Barellan Point. That's about $23 a week.
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Barellan Point
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Anstead | Barellan Point | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $950 | $1,298 | -$348 |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $4,836 | $5,444 | -$608 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,200 | $2,300 | -$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,200 | $2,200 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,886 | $10,942 | -$1,056 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,242 | $5,690 | -$448 |
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 | Anstead | Barellan Point | 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, Anstead vs Barellan Point (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Anstead costs $1,056 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $12,106 in favour of Anstead.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $608 per year. Barellan Point is 21.2 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $448 per year, $5,242 from Anstead versus $5,690 from Barellan Point.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Anstead by $348 a year, $950 against $1,298.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,900 a year.
- Driving commute favours Anstead by $608 a year, $4,836 against $5,444.
- Building insurance favours Anstead by $100 a year, $2,200 against $2,300.
They sit in different council areas, so the rates line is set by two different councils. For QLD that figure is the minimum residential general rate for an owner-occupied principal place of residence, a floor rather than a typical bill.
Flood risk is rated medium in Anstead against low in Barellan Point, which feeds the insurance estimate. The catchment state school scores 9.2 in Anstead against 7 in Barellan Point, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Anstead cumulative | Barellan Point cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,886 | $10,942 | $1,056 |
| Year 3 | $30,557 | $33,821 | $3,264 |
| Year 5 | $52,486 | $58,093 | $5,607 |
| Year 10 | $113,332 | $125,438 | $12,106 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Anstead or Barellan Point cheaper to live in?
Anstead is cheaper to run by car at $9,886 per year versus $10,942 for Barellan Point, a difference of $1,056 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Anstead and Barellan Point?
Annual council rates for a house are $950 in Anstead (Brisbane City Council) and $1,298 in Barellan Point (Ipswich City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Anstead and $1,900 in Barellan Point. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Anstead and Barellan Point?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,836 from Anstead and $5,444 from Barellan Point to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Anstead and $192 from Barellan Point.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Anstead and Barellan Point?
At 3% annual cost growth, Anstead costs a cumulative $113,332 and Barellan Point costs $125,438 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $12,106 in favour of Anstead. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Anstead and Barellan Point suits you better?
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Sources: Brisbane 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 insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.