Arana Hills vs Ferny Hills
Annual running cost comparison for Brisbane home buyers · 2025–26 data
Data updated July 2025 · Council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance
Annual running cost breakdown
| Cost component | Arana Hills | Ferny Hills |
|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,519 | $1,519 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,824 | $1,824 |
| Annual commute (driving) | $938 | $1,124 |
| Home insurance (estimated) | $2,900 | $2,900 |
| Total annual cost | $7,181 | $7,367 |
| Distance to CBD | 11.1 km | 13.3 km |
Teal = lower cost. Council rates from Brisbane City Council 2025-26 and Brisbane City Council 2025-26. Commute uses ATO 88c/km over ABS annual kilometres by location class. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary.
Cost breakdown detail
Both suburbs fall under Brisbane City Council 2025-26, paying the same general rate of $1,519 per year.
Driving commute costs are similar: $938 per year from Arana Hills and $1,124 from Ferny Hills to Brisbane CBD.
Schools and risk profile
| Factor | Arana Hills | Ferny Hills |
|---|---|---|
| School score (ICSEA) | 4.7/10 | 8.6/10 |
| Nearest state primary | Grovely State School | Patricks Road State School |
| Nearest private school | Pine Community School | St Andrew's Catholic School |
| Flood risk | Low | Low |
| Fire risk | High | High |
Ferny Hills has the stronger school profile at 8.6/10 versus 4.7/10 for Arana Hills (ICSEA scale, higher = better). Nearest state primaries: Grovely State School (Arana Hills) and Patricks Road State School (Ferny Hills).
Both suburbs share low flood risk and high fire risk according to Queensland government mapping.
Who each suburb suits
- Buyers watching costs: Arana Hills saves $186 per year
- City commuters: 11.1 km to CBD vs 13.3 km
- Families prioritising school scores: 8.6/10
Frequently asked questions
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Which is cheaper to live in, Arana Hills or Ferny Hills?
Arana Hills and Ferny Hills are within $186 of each other annually for a house. At that margin, commute direction and school scores will drive the decision more than running cost.
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How far is Arana Hills from Brisbane CBD compared to Ferny Hills?
Arana Hills is 11.1 km from Brisbane CBD. Ferny Hills is 13.3 km from Brisbane CBD. Annual driving commute costs are $938 and $1,124 respectively, using the ATO 88 cents per kilometre rate over standard working days.
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Which suburb has better schools, Arana Hills or Ferny Hills?
Ferny Hills rates higher on ICSEA school quality data at 8.6/10 versus 4.7/10 for Arana Hills. The nearest state primary in Arana Hills is Grovely State School; in Ferny Hills it is Patricks Road State School. Source: ACARA ICSEA 2025.
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What are the flood and fire risks in Arana Hills versus Ferny Hills?
Arana Hills has low flood risk and high fire risk. Ferny Hills has low flood risk and high fire risk. Source: Queensland Globe flood mapping and QFES bushfire prone land data.
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What are council rates in Arana Hills compared to Ferny Hills?
Annual council rates for a house in Arana Hills are $1,519 (Brisbane City Council 2025-26). In Ferny Hills the rate is $1,519 (Brisbane City Council 2025-26). Water and sewerage charges add $1,824 in Arana Hills and $1,824 in Ferny Hills per year.
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Is Arana Hills or Ferny Hills better for families?
Ferny Hills scores higher on schools at 8.6/10 versus 4.7/10. Arana Hills has lower combined flood and fire risk. Those two factors point in different directions for this pair.
Individual suburb profiles
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