Bellara vs Sandstone Point: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Bellara and Sandstone Point are both Moreton Bay Regional Council suburbs, sitting 47.2 km and 45 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $118 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 →Bellara
Sandstone Point
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bellara | Sandstone Point | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,309 | $1,309 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,144 | $2,144 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,762 | $6,880 | -$118 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,200 | $3,200 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,900 | $2,000 | -$100 |
| Total (driving) | $13,415 | $13,533 | -$118 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,845 | $6,845 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Bellara | Sandstone Point | 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 — Bellara vs Sandstone Point (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Bellara and Sandstone Point cost within $118 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,353, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $118 per year. Bellara is 47.2 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, $6,845 and $6,845 a year, so the $118 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,309 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $2,144 a year.
- Driving commute favours Bellara by $118 a year, $6,762 against $6,880.
- Building insurance is identical at $3,200 a year.
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.
The catchment state school scores 5.9 in Bellara against 4.5 in Sandstone Point, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bellara cumulative | Sandstone Point cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $13,415 | $13,533 | $118 |
| Year 3 | $41,464 | $41,829 | $365 |
| Year 5 | $71,222 | $71,849 | $627 |
| Year 10 | $153,788 | $155,141 | $1,353 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bellara or Sandstone Point cheaper to live in?
Bellara is cheaper to run by car at $13,415 per year versus $13,533 for Sandstone Point, a difference of $118 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Bellara and Sandstone Point?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,309 in Bellara (Moreton Bay Regional Council) and $1,309 in Sandstone Point (Moreton Bay Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,144 in Bellara and $2,144 in Sandstone Point. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Bellara and Sandstone Point?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,762 from Bellara and $6,880 from Sandstone Point to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Bellara and $192 from Sandstone Point.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bellara and Sandstone Point?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bellara costs a cumulative $153,788 and Sandstone Point costs $155,141 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,353 in favour of Bellara. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bellara and Sandstone Point 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: Moreton Bay Regional Council and Moreton Bay Regional 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.