Arana Hills vs Ferny Hills: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Arana Hills and Ferny Hills are both Moreton Bay Regional Council suburbs, sitting 11.1 km and 13.3 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Arana Hills runs $535 a year cheaper than Ferny Hills, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,134.
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 →Arana Hills
Ferny Hills
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Arana Hills | Ferny Hills | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,309 | $1,309 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,144 | $2,144 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,340 | $3,875 | -$535 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,900 | $2,900 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,200 | $2,300 | -$100 |
| Total (driving) | $9,693 | $10,228 | -$535 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,545 | $6,545 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Arana Hills | Ferny Hills | 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 — Arana Hills vs Ferny Hills (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Arana Hills costs $535 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $6,134 in favour of Arana Hills.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $535 per year. Ferny Hills is 13.3 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, $6,545 and $6,545 a year, so the $535 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,309 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $2,144 a year.
- Driving commute favours Arana Hills by $535 a year, $3,340 against $3,875.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,900 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.
The catchment state school scores 8.6 in Ferny Hills against 6 in Arana Hills, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Arana Hills cumulative | Ferny Hills cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,693 | $10,228 | $535 |
| Year 3 | $29,960 | $31,614 | $1,654 |
| Year 5 | $51,461 | $54,302 | $2,841 |
| Year 10 | $111,119 | $117,253 | $6,134 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Arana Hills or Ferny Hills cheaper to live in?
Arana Hills is cheaper to run by car at $9,693 per year versus $10,228 for Ferny Hills, a difference of $535 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Arana Hills and Ferny Hills?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,309 in Arana Hills (Moreton Bay Regional Council) and $1,309 in Ferny Hills (Moreton Bay Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,144 in Arana Hills and $2,144 in Ferny Hills. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Arana Hills and Ferny Hills?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,340 from Arana Hills and $3,875 from Ferny Hills to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Arana Hills and $192 from Ferny Hills.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Arana Hills and Ferny Hills?
At 3% annual cost growth, Arana Hills costs a cumulative $111,119 and Ferny Hills costs $117,253 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,134 in favour of Arana Hills. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Arana Hills and Ferny Hills 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: Moreton Bay Regional Council and Moreton Bay Regional 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.