Augustine Heights vs Redbank Plains: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Augustine Heights and Redbank Plains are both Ipswich City Council suburbs, sitting 25.7 km and 26.5 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $197 a year of each other to run, so running cost is a minor factor here. The decision comes down to schools, risk and lifestyle, all in the free report.
Over 10 years these two cost about the same to run. The difference here isn't money — it's location, schools and lifestyle.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Augustine Heights
Redbank Plains
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Augustine Heights | Redbank Plains | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,298 | $1,298 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,096 | $6,193 | -$97 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,800 | $2,900 | -$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,200 | $2,000 | +$200 |
| Total (driving) | $12,094 | $12,291 | -$197 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,190 | $6,290 | -$100 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Augustine Heights | Redbank Plains | 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 — Augustine Heights vs Redbank Plains (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Augustine Heights and Redbank Plains cost within $197 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,259, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $100 per year.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $6,190 and $6,290 a year, so the $197 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,298 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,900 a year.
- Driving commute favours Augustine Heights by $97 a year, $6,096 against $6,193.
- Building insurance favours Augustine Heights by $100 a year, $2,800 against $2,900.
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 6.9 in Augustine Heights against 4 in Redbank Plains, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Augustine Heights cumulative | Redbank Plains cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,094 | $12,291 | $197 |
| Year 3 | $37,381 | $37,990 | $609 |
| Year 5 | $64,209 | $65,255 | $1,046 |
| Year 10 | $138,644 | $140,903 | $2,259 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Augustine Heights or Redbank Plains cheaper to live in?
Augustine Heights is cheaper to run by car at $12,094 per year versus $12,291 for Redbank Plains, a difference of $197 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Augustine Heights and Redbank Plains?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,298 in Augustine Heights (Ipswich City Council) and $1,298 in Redbank Plains (Ipswich City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Augustine Heights and $1,900 in Redbank Plains. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Augustine Heights and Redbank Plains?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,096 from Augustine Heights and $6,193 from Redbank Plains to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Augustine Heights and $192 from Redbank Plains.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Augustine Heights and Redbank Plains?
At 3% annual cost growth, Augustine Heights costs a cumulative $138,644 and Redbank Plains costs $140,903 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,259 in favour of Augustine Heights. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Augustine Heights and Redbank Plains 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.
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Sources: Ipswich City Council and Ipswich 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.