Ashgrove vs Red Hill: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/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 $1,829 a year cheaper than Ashgrove, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $20,968.
Over 10 years, Red Hill costs about $21,000 less to run than Ashgrove — the same as paying $21,000 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 | $950 | $950 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $1,638 | $1,009 | +$629 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,000 | $1,800 | +$1,200 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $3,200 | $3,800 | -$600 |
| Total (driving) | $7,488 | $5,659 | +$1,829 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,042 | $4,842 | +$1,200 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Ashgrove | Red Hill | 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 — Ashgrove vs Red Hill (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Red Hill costs $1,829 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $20,968 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, $6,042 from Ashgrove versus $4,842 from Red Hill.
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 Red Hill by $629 a year, $1,009 against $1,638.
- Building insurance favours Red Hill by $1,200 a year, $1,800 against $3,000.
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 Ashgrove against low in Red Hill, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated high in Ashgrove against low in Red Hill, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Ashgrove cumulative | Red Hill cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,488 | $5,659 | $1,829 |
| Year 3 | $23,145 | $17,491 | $5,654 |
| Year 5 | $39,755 | $30,044 | $9,711 |
| Year 10 | $85,842 | $64,874 | $20,968 |
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 $5,659 per year versus $7,488 for Ashgrove, a difference of $1,829 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Ashgrove and Red Hill?
Annual council rates for a house are $950 in Ashgrove (Brisbane City Council) and $950 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 $1,638 from Ashgrove and $1,009 from Red Hill to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/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 $85,842 and Red Hill costs $64,874 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $20,968 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 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.