Birkdale vs Wellington Point, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Birkdale and Wellington Point are both Redland City Council suburbs, sitting 18.6 km and 21.5 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Birkdale runs $506 a year cheaper than Wellington Point, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,800.
Over 10 years, Birkdale costs about $5,800 less to run than Wellington Point. That's about $11 a week.
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Wellington Point
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Birkdale | Wellington Point | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,436 | $1,436 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,308 | $2,308 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $4,988 | $5,494 | -$506 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,800 | $2,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,032 | $11,538 | -$506 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,236 | $6,236 | - |
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 | Birkdale | Wellington 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, Birkdale vs Wellington Point (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Birkdale costs $506 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,800 in favour of Birkdale.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $506 per year. Wellington Point is 21.5 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, $6,236 and $6,236 a year, so the $506 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,436 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $2,308 a year.
- Driving commute favours Birkdale by $506 a year, $4,988 against $5,494.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,300 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 6.8 in Wellington Point against 5.8 in Birkdale, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Birkdale cumulative | Wellington Point cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,032 | $11,538 | $506 |
| Year 3 | $34,099 | $35,663 | $1,564 |
| Year 5 | $58,570 | $61,257 | $2,687 |
| Year 10 | $126,470 | $132,270 | $5,800 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Birkdale or Wellington Point cheaper to live in?
Birkdale is cheaper to run by car at $11,032 per year versus $11,538 for Wellington Point, a difference of $506 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Birkdale and Wellington Point?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,436 in Birkdale (Redland City Council) and $1,436 in Wellington Point (Redland City Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,308 in Birkdale and $2,308 in Wellington Point. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Birkdale and Wellington Point?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,988 from Birkdale and $5,494 from Wellington Point to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Birkdale and $192 from Wellington Point.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Birkdale and Wellington Point?
At 3% annual cost growth, Birkdale costs a cumulative $126,470 and Wellington Point costs $132,270 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,800 in favour of Birkdale. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Birkdale and Wellington Point suits you better?
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Sources: Redland City Council and Redland 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.