Bahrs Scrub vs Windaroo: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Bahrs Scrub and Windaroo are both Logan City Council suburbs, sitting 33.2 km and 34.9 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Windaroo runs $614 a year cheaper than Bahrs Scrub, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $7,039.
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 →Bahrs Scrub
Windaroo
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bahrs Scrub | Windaroo | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,816 | $1,816 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,149 | $2,149 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,563 | $6,649 | -$86 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,900 | $2,200 | +$700 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,200 | $2,200 | - |
| Total (driving) | $13,428 | $12,814 | +$614 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,057 | $6,357 | +$700 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Bahrs Scrub | Windaroo | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $1,976 | $1,976 | - |
| Unit | $1,591 | $1,591 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2025 rates (QLD 30c/kWh, NSW 33c/kWh incl. supply charge; unit ≈ 75% of a house). Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Cost breakdown chart
Annual cost breakdown — Bahrs Scrub vs Windaroo (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Windaroo costs $614 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $7,039 in favour of Windaroo.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $700 per year.
On public transport the gap is $700 per year, $7,057 from Bahrs Scrub versus $6,357 from Windaroo.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bahrs Scrub cumulative | Windaroo cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $13,428 | $12,814 | $614 |
| Year 3 | $41,505 | $39,607 | $1,898 |
| Year 5 | $71,291 | $68,031 | $3,260 |
| Year 10 | $153,937 | $146,898 | $7,039 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bahrs Scrub or Windaroo cheaper to live in?
Windaroo is cheaper to run by car at $12,814 per year versus $13,428 for Bahrs Scrub, a difference of $614 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Bahrs Scrub and Windaroo?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,816 in Bahrs Scrub (Logan City Council) and $1,816 in Windaroo (Logan City Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,149 in Bahrs Scrub and $2,149 in Windaroo. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Bahrs Scrub and Windaroo?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,563 from Bahrs Scrub and $6,649 from Windaroo to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Bahrs Scrub and $192 from Windaroo.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bahrs Scrub and Windaroo?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bahrs Scrub costs a cumulative $153,937 and Windaroo costs $146,898 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $7,039 in favour of Windaroo. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bahrs Scrub and Windaroo 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: Logan City Council and Logan City Council rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.