Arana Hills vs Keperra: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Arana Hills (Moreton Bay Regional Council) and Keperra (Brisbane City Council) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Brisbane CBD (11.1 km and 9.5 km).
Keperra runs $702 a year cheaper than Arana Hills, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $8,048.
Over 10 years, Keperra costs about $8,000 less to run than Arana Hills — the same as paying $8,000 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Keperra
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Arana Hills | Keperra | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,636 | $1,579 | +$57 |
| Water & sewerage | $2,144 | $1,900 | +$244 |
| Commute (driving) | $3,230 | $2,829 | +$401 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,900 | $2,900 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,200 | $2,600 | -$400 |
| Total (driving) | $9,910 | $9,208 | +$702 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,872 | $6,571 | +$301 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Arana Hills | Keperra | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $1,976 | $1,976 | - |
| Unit | $1,591 | $1,591 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2025 rates (QLD 30c/kWh, NSW 33c/kWh incl. supply charge; 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 Keperra (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Keperra costs $702 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $8,048 in favour of Keperra.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $401 per year. Arana Hills is 11.1 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the gap is $301 per year, $6,872 from Arana Hills versus $6,571 from Keperra.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Arana Hills cumulative | Keperra cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,910 | $9,208 | $702 |
| Year 3 | $30,631 | $28,461 | $2,170 |
| Year 5 | $52,614 | $48,887 | $3,727 |
| Year 10 | $113,607 | $105,559 | $8,048 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Arana Hills or Keperra cheaper to live in?
Keperra is cheaper to run by car at $9,208 per year versus $9,910 for Arana Hills, a difference of $702 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Arana Hills and Keperra?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,636 in Arana Hills (Moreton Bay Regional Council) and $1,579 in Keperra (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,144 in Arana Hills and $1,900 in Keperra. 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 Keperra?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,230 from Arana Hills and $2,829 from Keperra to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Arana Hills and $192 from Keperra.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Arana Hills and Keperra?
At 3% annual cost growth, Arana Hills costs a cumulative $113,607 and Keperra costs $105,559 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $8,048 in favour of Keperra. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Arana Hills and Keperra is best to actually live in?
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Sources: Moreton Bay Regional Council and Brisbane City Council rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.