Belmont vs Carindale: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Belmont and Carindale are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 11.6 km and 9.9 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Carindale runs $420 a year cheaper than Belmont, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,815.
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 →Belmont
Carindale
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Belmont | Carindale | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,579 | $1,579 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,351 | $2,931 | +$420 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,800 | $2,800 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,900 | $2,900 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,630 | $9,210 | +$420 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,471 | $6,471 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Belmont | Carindale | 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 — Belmont vs Carindale (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Carindale costs $420 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,815 in favour of Carindale.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $420 per year. Belmont is 11.6 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $6,471 and $6,471 a year, so the $420 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Belmont cumulative | Carindale cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,630 | $9,210 | $420 |
| Year 3 | $29,765 | $28,467 | $1,298 |
| Year 5 | $51,127 | $48,897 | $2,230 |
| Year 10 | $110,397 | $105,582 | $4,815 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Belmont or Carindale cheaper to live in?
Carindale is cheaper to run by car at $9,210 per year versus $9,630 for Belmont, a difference of $420 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Belmont and Carindale?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,579 in Belmont (Brisbane City Council) and $1,579 in Carindale (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Belmont and $1,900 in Carindale. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Belmont and Carindale?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,351 from Belmont and $2,931 from Carindale to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Belmont and $192 from Carindale.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Belmont and Carindale?
At 3% annual cost growth, Belmont costs a cumulative $110,397 and Carindale costs $105,582 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,815 in favour of Carindale. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Belmont and Carindale 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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.