Aspley vs Chermside, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Aspley and Chermside are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 11.5 km and 9.5 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Chermside runs $515 a year cheaper than Aspley, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,904.
Over 10 years, Chermside costs about $5,900 less to run than Aspley. That's about $11 a week.
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Chermside
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Aspley | Chermside | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $950 | $950 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $3,440 | $2,925 | +$515 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,150 | $2,150 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,800 | $3,000 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $8,440 | $7,925 | +$515 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,192 | $5,192 | - |
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 | Aspley | Chermside | 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, Aspley vs Chermside (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Chermside costs $515 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,904 in favour of Chermside.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $515 per year. Aspley is 11.5 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, $5,192 and $5,192 a year, so the $515 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 Chermside by $515 a year, $2,925 against $3,440.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,150 a year.
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.
Fire risk is rated medium in Aspley against low in Chermside, which feeds the insurance estimate. The catchment state school scores 8.7 in Aspley against 5.6 in Chermside, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Aspley cumulative | Chermside cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,440 | $7,925 | $515 |
| Year 3 | $26,087 | $24,495 | $1,592 |
| Year 5 | $44,809 | $42,075 | $2,734 |
| Year 10 | $96,755 | $90,851 | $5,904 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Aspley or Chermside cheaper to live in?
Chermside is cheaper to run by car at $7,925 per year versus $8,440 for Aspley, a difference of $515 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Aspley and Chermside?
Annual council rates for a house are $950 in Aspley (Brisbane City Council) and $950 in Chermside (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Aspley and $1,900 in Chermside. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Aspley and Chermside?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,440 from Aspley and $2,925 from Chermside to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Aspley and $192 from Chermside.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Aspley and Chermside?
At 3% annual cost growth, Aspley costs a cumulative $96,755 and Chermside costs $90,851 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,904 in favour of Chermside. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Aspley and Chermside 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.