Aspley vs Zillmere, 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 Zillmere are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 11.5 km and 12.5 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Zillmere runs $454 a year cheaper than Aspley, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,204.
Over 10 years the gap between these two is about $5,200, about $10 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Zillmere
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Aspley | Zillmere | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $950 | $950 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $3,440 | $3,686 | -$246 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,150 | $1,450 | +$700 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,800 | $2,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $8,440 | $7,986 | +$454 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,192 | $4,492 | +$700 |
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 | Zillmere | 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 Zillmere (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Aspley and Zillmere differ by $454 a year by car, but $700 of that is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On the sourced costs, council rates, water and the commute, the gap is $246, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $700 per year. Aspley carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $700 per year, $5,192 from Aspley versus $4,492 from Zillmere.
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 Aspley by $246 a year, $3,440 against $3,686.
- Building insurance favours Zillmere by $700 a year, $1,450 against $2,150.
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.
The catchment state school scores 8.7 in Aspley against 3.2 in Zillmere, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Aspley cumulative | Zillmere cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,440 | $7,986 | $454 |
| Year 3 | $26,087 | $24,684 | $1,403 |
| Year 5 | $44,809 | $42,399 | $2,410 |
| Year 10 | $96,755 | $91,551 | $5,204 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Aspley or Zillmere cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Aspley runs $8,440 a year by car and Zillmere $7,986, but most of the $454 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $246. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Aspley and Zillmere?
Annual council rates for a house are $950 in Aspley (Brisbane City Council) and $950 in Zillmere (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Aspley and $1,900 in Zillmere. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Aspley and Zillmere?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,440 from Aspley and $3,686 from Zillmere to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Aspley and $192 from Zillmere.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Aspley and Zillmere?
At 3% annual cost growth, Aspley costs a cumulative $96,755 and Zillmere costs $91,551 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,204 in favour of Zillmere. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Aspley and Zillmere 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.