Bracken Ridge vs Deagon, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Bracken Ridge and Deagon are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 16.7 km and 16.2 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $202 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, Deagon costs about $2,300 less to run than Bracken Ridge. That's about $4 a week.
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Deagon
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bracken Ridge | Deagon | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $950 | $950 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $4,617 | $4,515 | +$102 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,600 | $1,500 | +$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,500 | $2,600 | -$100 |
| Total (driving) | $9,067 | $8,865 | +$202 |
| Total (public transport) | $4,642 | $4,542 | +$100 |
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 | Bracken Ridge | Deagon | 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, Bracken Ridge vs Deagon (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Bracken Ridge and Deagon cost within $202 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,316, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $102 per year. Bracken Ridge is 16.7 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, $4,642 and $4,542 a year, so the $202 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 Deagon by $102 a year, $4,515 against $4,617.
- Building insurance favours Deagon by $100 a year, $1,500 against $1,600.
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 high in Deagon against medium in Bracken Ridge, which feeds the insurance estimate. The catchment state school scores 7.4 in Deagon against 5.2 in Bracken Ridge, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bracken Ridge cumulative | Deagon cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,067 | $8,865 | $202 |
| Year 3 | $28,025 | $27,401 | $624 |
| Year 5 | $48,138 | $47,065 | $1,073 |
| Year 10 | $103,943 | $101,627 | $2,316 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bracken Ridge or Deagon cheaper to live in?
Deagon is cheaper to run by car at $8,865 per year versus $9,067 for Bracken Ridge, a difference of $202 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Bracken Ridge and Deagon?
Annual council rates for a house are $950 in Bracken Ridge (Brisbane City Council) and $950 in Deagon (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Bracken Ridge and $1,900 in Deagon. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Bracken Ridge and Deagon?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,617 from Bracken Ridge and $4,515 from Deagon to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Bracken Ridge and $192 from Deagon.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bracken Ridge and Deagon?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bracken Ridge costs a cumulative $103,943 and Deagon costs $101,627 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,316 in favour of Deagon. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bracken Ridge and Deagon 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.