Anstead vs Pullenvale: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Anstead and Pullenvale are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 17.8 km and 14.9 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Pullenvale runs $599 a year cheaper than Anstead, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,867.
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 →Anstead
Pullenvale
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Anstead | Pullenvale | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $950 | $950 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,836 | $4,237 | +$599 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,200 | $3,200 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,200 | $2,800 | -$600 |
| Total (driving) | $10,886 | $10,287 | +$599 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,242 | $6,242 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Anstead | Pullenvale | 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 Pullenvale (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Pullenvale costs $599 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $6,867 in favour of Pullenvale.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $599 per year. Anstead is 17.8 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, $6,242 and $6,242 a year, so the $599 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $950 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,900 a year.
- Driving commute favours Pullenvale by $599 a year, $4,237 against $4,836.
- Building insurance is identical at $3,200 a year.
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.
Flood risk is rated medium in Anstead against low in Pullenvale, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Anstead cumulative | Pullenvale cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,886 | $10,287 | $599 |
| Year 3 | $33,648 | $31,796 | $1,852 |
| Year 5 | $57,795 | $54,615 | $3,180 |
| Year 10 | $124,796 | $117,929 | $6,867 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Anstead or Pullenvale cheaper to live in?
Pullenvale is cheaper to run by car at $10,287 per year versus $10,886 for Anstead, a difference of $599 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Anstead and Pullenvale?
Annual council rates for a house are $950 in Anstead (Brisbane City Council) and $950 in Pullenvale (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Anstead and $1,900 in Pullenvale. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Anstead and Pullenvale?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,836 from Anstead and $4,237 from Pullenvale to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Anstead and $192 from Pullenvale.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Anstead and Pullenvale?
At 3% annual cost growth, Anstead costs a cumulative $124,796 and Pullenvale costs $117,929 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,867 in favour of Pullenvale. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Anstead and Pullenvale 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.
Related comparisons
Sources: Brisbane City Council and Brisbane 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.