Archerfield vs Rocklea: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Archerfield and Rocklea are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 11 km and 9.3 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Archerfield runs $3,171 a year cheaper than Rocklea, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $36,352.
Over 10 years, Archerfield costs about $36,400 less to run than Rocklea — the same as paying $36,400 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Rocklea
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Archerfield | Rocklea | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,579 | $1,579 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,206 | $2,777 | +$429 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,900 | $5,500 | -$3,600 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,500 | $2,800 | -$300 |
| Total (driving) | $8,585 | $11,756 | -$3,171 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,571 | $9,171 | -$3,600 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Archerfield | Rocklea | 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 — Archerfield vs Rocklea (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Archerfield costs $3,171 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $36,352 in favour of Archerfield.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $3,600 per year. Rocklea carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $3,600 per year, $5,571 from Archerfield versus $9,171 from Rocklea.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Archerfield cumulative | Rocklea cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,585 | $11,756 | $3,171 |
| Year 3 | $26,535 | $36,337 | $9,802 |
| Year 5 | $45,579 | $62,414 | $16,835 |
| Year 10 | $98,417 | $134,769 | $36,352 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Archerfield or Rocklea cheaper to live in?
Archerfield is cheaper to run by car at $8,585 per year versus $11,756 for Rocklea, a difference of $3,171 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Archerfield and Rocklea?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,579 in Archerfield (Brisbane City Council) and $1,579 in Rocklea (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Archerfield and $1,900 in Rocklea. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Archerfield and Rocklea?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,206 from Archerfield and $2,777 from Rocklea to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Archerfield and $192 from Rocklea.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Archerfield and Rocklea?
At 3% annual cost growth, Archerfield costs a cumulative $98,417 and Rocklea costs $134,769 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $36,352 in favour of Archerfield. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Archerfield and Rocklea 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.
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Sources: Brisbane City 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.