Balmoral vs Bulimba: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Balmoral and Bulimba are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 4.5 km and 4.1 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $75 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 →Balmoral
Bulimba
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Balmoral | Bulimba | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $950 | $950 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $1,484 | $1,359 | +$125 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,800 | $1,850 | -$50 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $3,200 | $3,200 | - |
| Total (driving) | $6,134 | $6,059 | +$75 |
| Total (public transport) | $4,842 | $4,892 | -$50 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Balmoral | Bulimba | 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 — Balmoral vs Bulimba (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Balmoral and Bulimba cost within $75 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $859, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $125 per year. Balmoral is 4.5 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, $4,842 and $4,892 a year, so the $75 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 Bulimba by $125 a year, $1,359 against $1,484.
- Building insurance favours Balmoral by $50 a year, $1,800 against $1,850.
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.
Flood risk is rated medium in Bulimba against low in Balmoral, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Balmoral cumulative | Bulimba cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $6,134 | $6,059 | $75 |
| Year 3 | $18,960 | $18,728 | $232 |
| Year 5 | $32,566 | $32,168 | $398 |
| Year 10 | $70,319 | $69,460 | $859 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Balmoral or Bulimba cheaper to live in?
Bulimba is cheaper to run by car at $6,059 per year versus $6,134 for Balmoral, a difference of $75 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Balmoral and Bulimba?
Annual council rates for a house are $950 in Balmoral (Brisbane City Council) and $950 in Bulimba (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Balmoral and $1,900 in Bulimba. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Balmoral and Bulimba?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,484 from Balmoral and $1,359 from Bulimba to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Balmoral and $192 from Bulimba.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Balmoral and Bulimba?
At 3% annual cost growth, Balmoral costs a cumulative $70,319 and Bulimba costs $69,460 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $859 in favour of Bulimba. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Balmoral and Bulimba 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.
Related comparisons
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 AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.