Ascot vs Hendra, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Ascot and Hendra are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 5.9 km and 7.3 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Ascot runs $308 a year cheaper than Hendra, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,530.
Over 10 years, Ascot costs about $3,500 less to run than Hendra. That's about $7 a week.
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Hendra
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Ascot | Hendra | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $950 | $950 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,910 | $2,318 | -$408 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,200 | $2,100 | +$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $3,500 | $3,200 | +$300 |
| Total (driving) | $6,960 | $7,268 | -$308 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,242 | $5,142 | +$100 |
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 | Ascot | Hendra | 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, Ascot vs Hendra (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Ascot costs $308 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,530 in favour of Ascot.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $408 per year. Hendra is 7.3 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $5,242 and $5,142 a year, so the $308 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
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 Ascot by $408 a year, $1,910 against $2,318.
- Building insurance favours Hendra by $100 a year, $2,100 against $2,200.
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 medium in Hendra against low in Ascot, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Ascot cumulative | Hendra cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $6,960 | $7,268 | $308 |
| Year 3 | $21,513 | $22,465 | $952 |
| Year 5 | $36,952 | $38,587 | $1,635 |
| Year 10 | $79,789 | $83,319 | $3,530 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ascot or Hendra cheaper to live in?
Ascot is cheaper to run by car at $6,960 per year versus $7,268 for Hendra, a difference of $308 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Ascot and Hendra?
Annual council rates for a house are $950 in Ascot (Brisbane City Council) and $950 in Hendra (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Ascot and $1,900 in Hendra. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Ascot and Hendra?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,910 from Ascot and $2,318 from Hendra to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Ascot and $192 from Hendra.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Ascot and Hendra?
At 3% annual cost growth, Ascot costs a cumulative $79,789 and Hendra costs $83,319 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,530 in favour of Ascot. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Ascot and Hendra 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.