Arana Hills vs Keperra: 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 (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 $1,018 a year cheaper than Arana Hills, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $11,670.
Over 10 years, Keperra costs about $11,700 less to run than Arana Hills — the same as paying $11,700 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 | $1,309 | $950 | +$359 |
| Water & sewerage | $2,144 | $1,900 | +$244 |
| Commute (driving) | $3,340 | $2,925 | +$415 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,900 | $2,900 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,200 | $2,600 | -$400 |
| Total (driving) | $9,693 | $8,675 | +$1,018 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,545 | $5,942 | +$603 |
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 | Keperra | 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 Keperra (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Keperra costs $1,018 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $11,670 in favour of Keperra.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $415 per year. Arana Hills is 11.1 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $603 per year, $6,545 from Arana Hills versus $5,942 from Keperra.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Keperra by $359 a year, $950 against $1,309.
- Water and sewerage favours Keperra by $244 a year, $1,900 against $2,144.
- Driving commute favours Keperra by $415 a year, $2,925 against $3,340.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,900 a year.
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 Keperra against low in Arana Hills, which feeds the insurance estimate. The catchment state school scores 7.4 in Keperra against 6 in Arana Hills, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Arana Hills cumulative | Keperra cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,693 | $8,675 | $1,018 |
| Year 3 | $29,960 | $26,814 | $3,146 |
| Year 5 | $51,461 | $46,057 | $5,404 |
| Year 10 | $111,119 | $99,449 | $11,670 |
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 $8,675 per year versus $9,693 for Arana Hills, a difference of $1,018 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 Keperra?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,309 in Arana Hills (Moreton Bay Regional Council) and $950 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 $3,340 from Arana Hills and $2,925 from Keperra to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/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 $111,119 and Keperra costs $99,449 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $11,670 in favour of Keperra. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Arana Hills and Keperra 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 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.