Balmoral vs Hamilton, 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 Hamilton are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 4.5 km and 5.5 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Balmoral runs $356 a year cheaper than Hamilton, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,082.
Over 10 years, Balmoral costs about $4,100 less to run than Hamilton. That's about $8 a week.
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Hamilton
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Balmoral | Hamilton | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $950 | $950 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,484 | $1,790 | -$306 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,050 | $2,100 | -$50 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $3,200 | $3,200 | - |
| Total (driving) | $6,384 | $6,740 | -$356 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,092 | $5,142 | -$50 |
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 | Balmoral | Hamilton | 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 Hamilton (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Balmoral costs $356 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,082 in favour of Balmoral.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $306 per year. Hamilton is 5.5 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, $5,092 and $5,142 a year, so the $356 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 Balmoral by $306 a year, $1,484 against $1,790.
- Building insurance favours Balmoral by $50 a year, $2,050 against $2,100.
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 9.1 in Balmoral against 7.2 in Hamilton, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Balmoral cumulative | Hamilton cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $6,384 | $6,740 | $356 |
| Year 3 | $19,732 | $20,833 | $1,101 |
| Year 5 | $33,894 | $35,784 | $1,890 |
| Year 10 | $73,185 | $77,267 | $4,082 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Balmoral or Hamilton cheaper to live in?
Balmoral is cheaper to run by car at $6,384 per year versus $6,740 for Hamilton, a difference of $356 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Balmoral and Hamilton?
Annual council rates for a house are $950 in Balmoral (Brisbane City Council) and $950 in Hamilton (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Balmoral and $1,900 in Hamilton. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Balmoral and Hamilton?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,484 from Balmoral and $1,790 from Hamilton to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Balmoral and $192 from Hamilton.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Balmoral and Hamilton?
At 3% annual cost growth, Balmoral costs a cumulative $73,185 and Hamilton costs $77,267 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,082 in favour of Balmoral. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Balmoral and Hamilton 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.