Ashgrove vs Red Hill: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Ashgrove and Red Hill are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 5 km and 3 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Red Hill runs $1,808 a year cheaper than Ashgrove, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $20,726.
Over 10 years, Red Hill costs about $20,700 less to run than Ashgrove — the same as paying $20,700 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Ashgrove
Red Hill
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Ashgrove | Red Hill | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,579 | $1,579 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $1,584 | $976 | +$608 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,000 | $1,800 | +$1,200 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $3,200 | $3,800 | -$600 |
| Total (driving) | $8,063 | $6,255 | +$1,808 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,671 | $5,471 | +$1,200 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Ashgrove | Red Hill | 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 — Ashgrove vs Red Hill (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Red Hill costs $1,808 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $20,726 in favour of Red Hill.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $1,200 per year. Ashgrove carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $1,200 per year, $6,671 from Ashgrove versus $5,471 from Red Hill.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Ashgrove cumulative | Red Hill cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,063 | $6,255 | $1,808 |
| Year 3 | $24,922 | $19,334 | $5,588 |
| Year 5 | $42,808 | $33,209 | $9,599 |
| Year 10 | $92,433 | $71,707 | $20,726 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ashgrove or Red Hill cheaper to live in?
Red Hill is cheaper to run by car at $6,255 per year versus $8,063 for Ashgrove, a difference of $1,808 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Ashgrove and Red Hill?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,579 in Ashgrove (Brisbane City Council) and $1,579 in Red Hill (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Ashgrove and $1,900 in Red Hill. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Ashgrove and Red Hill?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,584 from Ashgrove and $976 from Red Hill to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Ashgrove and $192 from Red Hill.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Ashgrove and Red Hill?
At 3% annual cost growth, Ashgrove costs a cumulative $92,433 and Red Hill costs $71,707 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $20,726 in favour of Red Hill. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Ashgrove and Red Hill 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: 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.