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Ashgrove vs Bardon

Annual running cost comparison for Brisbane home buyers · 2025–26 data

Data updated July 2025 · Council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance

Quick verdict: Ashgrove and Bardon sit within $84 of each other annually, less than $7 per month. Commute direction, school scores, and risk profile will drive the decision more than cost.

Annual running cost breakdown

Cost component Ashgrove Bardon
Council rates $1,519 $1,519
Water & sewerage $1,824 $1,824
Annual commute (driving) $422 $406
Home insurance (estimated) $3,000 $3,100
Total annual cost $6,765 $6,849
Distance to CBD 5 km 4.8 km

Teal = lower cost. Council rates from Brisbane City Council 2025-26 and Brisbane City Council 2025-26. Commute uses ATO 88c/km over ABS annual kilometres by location class. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary.

Cost breakdown detail

Both suburbs fall under Brisbane City Council 2025-26, paying the same general rate of $1,519 per year.

Driving commute costs are similar: $422 per year from Ashgrove and $406 from Bardon to Brisbane CBD.

Schools and risk profile

Factor Ashgrove Bardon
School score (ICSEA) 9.6/10 9.5/10
Nearest state primary Oakleigh State School Bardon State School
Nearest private school St Finbarr's School St Joseph's School
Flood risk Low Low
Fire risk High High

School quality is similar in both suburbs. Ashgrove scores 9.6/10 and Bardon scores 9.5/10 on the ICSEA scale. Nearest state primary schools are Oakleigh State School and Bardon State School respectively.

Both suburbs share low flood risk and high fire risk according to Queensland government mapping.

Who each suburb suits

Choose Ashgrove if you
  • Buyers watching costs: Ashgrove saves $84 per year
  • Families prioritising school scores: 9.6/10
Choose Bardon if you
  • City commuters: 4.8 km to CBD vs 5 km

Frequently asked questions

  1. Which is cheaper to live in, Ashgrove or Bardon?

    Ashgrove and Bardon are within $84 of each other annually for a house. At that margin, commute direction and school scores will drive the decision more than running cost.

  2. How far is Ashgrove from Brisbane CBD compared to Bardon?

    Ashgrove is 5 km from Brisbane CBD. Bardon is 4.8 km from Brisbane CBD. Annual driving commute costs are $422 and $406 respectively, using the ATO 88 cents per kilometre rate over standard working days.

  3. Which suburb has better schools, Ashgrove or Bardon?

    Ashgrove rates higher on ICSEA school quality data at 9.6/10 versus 9.5/10 for Bardon. The nearest state primary in Ashgrove is Oakleigh State School; in Bardon it is Bardon State School. Source: ACARA ICSEA 2025.

  4. What are the flood and fire risks in Ashgrove versus Bardon?

    Ashgrove has low flood risk and high fire risk. Bardon has low flood risk and high fire risk. Source: Queensland Globe flood mapping and QFES bushfire prone land data.

  5. What are council rates in Ashgrove compared to Bardon?

    Annual council rates for a house in Ashgrove are $1,519 (Brisbane City Council 2025-26). In Bardon the rate is $1,519 (Brisbane City Council 2025-26). Water and sewerage charges add $1,824 in Ashgrove and $1,824 in Bardon per year.

  6. Is Ashgrove or Bardon better for families?

    Ashgrove scores 9.6/10 on schools and has lower flood and fire risk. For families running both checks, it wins on both counts.

Individual suburb profiles

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