Archerfield vs Rocklea, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/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 $557 a year cheaper than Rocklea, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,386.
Over 10 years the gap between these two is about $6,400, about $12 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Rocklea
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Archerfield | Rocklea | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $950 | $950 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $3,315 | $2,872 | +$443 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,450 | $2,450 | -$1,000 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,500 | $2,800 | -$300 |
| Total (driving) | $7,615 | $8,172 | -$557 |
| Total (public transport) | $4,492 | $5,492 | -$1,000 |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Archerfield | Rocklea | 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, Archerfield vs Rocklea (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Archerfield and Rocklea differ by $557 a year by car, but $1,000 of that is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On the sourced costs, council rates, water and the commute, the gap is $443, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $1,000 per year. Rocklea carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $1,000 per year, $4,492 from Archerfield versus $5,492 from Rocklea.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $950 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,900 a year.
- Driving commute favours Rocklea by $443 a year, $2,872 against $3,315.
- Building insurance favours Archerfield by $1,000 a year, $1,450 against $2,450.
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 and the insurance band.
Flood risk is rated high in Rocklea against medium in Archerfield, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated high in Rocklea against medium in Archerfield, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Archerfield cumulative | Rocklea cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,615 | $8,172 | $557 |
| Year 3 | $23,537 | $25,259 | $1,722 |
| Year 5 | $40,429 | $43,386 | $2,957 |
| Year 10 | $87,297 | $93,683 | $6,386 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Archerfield or Rocklea cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Archerfield runs $7,615 a year by car and Rocklea $8,172, but most of the $557 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $443. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Archerfield and Rocklea?
Annual council rates for a house are $950 in Archerfield (Brisbane City Council) and $950 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 $3,315 from Archerfield and $2,872 from Rocklea to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/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 $87,297 and Rocklea costs $93,683 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,386 in favour of Archerfield. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Archerfield and Rocklea suits you better?
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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 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.