Chermside vs Aspley: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Chermside and Aspley are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 9.5 km and 11.5 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Chermside
Aspley
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Chermside | Aspley | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,519 | $1,519 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,824 | $1,824 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $803 | $972 | -$169 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,850 | $1,850 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $3,000 | $2,800 | +$200 |
| Total (driving) | $5,996 | $6,165 | -$169 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,385 | $5,385 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary.
Cost breakdown chart
Annual cost breakdown — Chermside vs Aspley (2025-26)
What the numbers show
Chermside and Aspley cost within $169 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,938, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $169 per year. Aspley is 11.5 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
Public transport equalises the comparison: both suburbs pay a flat $192 annual PT fare, so the $169 driving gap narrows to $0 under PT. If you rely on public transport, the two suburbs cost almost the same to run annually.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Chermside cumulative | Aspley cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $5,996 | $6,165 | $169 |
| Year 3 | $18,533 | $19,055 | $522 |
| Year 5 | $31,834 | $32,731 | $897 |
| Year 10 | $68,737 | $70,675 | $1,938 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Chermside or Aspley cheaper to live in?
Chermside is cheaper to run by car at $5,996 per year versus $6,165 for Aspley — a difference of $169 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2025-26 data.
What are council rates in Chermside and Aspley?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,519 in Chermside (Brisbane City Council 2025-26) and $1,519 in Aspley (Brisbane City Council 2025-26). Water and sewerage adds $1,824 in Chermside and $1,824 in Aspley.
How does the commute cost compare between Chermside and Aspley?
Annual driving commute costs are $803 from Chermside and $972 from Aspley to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km, 220 working days). Public transport costs $192 from Chermside and $192 from Aspley.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Chermside and Aspley?
At 3% annual cost growth, Chermside costs a cumulative $68,737 and Aspley costs $70,675 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,938 in favour of Chermside. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Compare Chermside and Aspley in the tool
The SuburbCost comparison tool shows the full annual cost breakdown for both suburbs side by side. Toggle between driving and public transport to see which suburb comes out ahead for your commuting pattern.
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Sources: Brisbane City Council and Brisbane City Council rate schedules 2025-26, Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater 2025-26, ATO 88c/km, SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2025.