Brassall vs Woodend: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Brassall and Woodend are both Ipswich City Council suburbs, sitting 31.5 km and 30.8 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Woodend runs $1,052 a year cheaper than Brassall, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $12,060.
Over 10 years, Woodend costs about $12,100 less to run than Brassall — the same as paying $12,100 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Woodend
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Brassall | Woodend | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,298 | $1,298 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,453 | $6,401 | +$52 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,900 | $1,900 | +$1,000 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,200 | $2,800 | -$600 |
| Total (driving) | $12,551 | $11,499 | +$1,052 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,290 | $5,290 | +$1,000 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Brassall | Woodend | 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 — Brassall vs Woodend (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Woodend costs $1,052 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $12,060 in favour of Woodend.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $1,000 per year.
On public transport the gap is $1,000 per year, $6,290 from Brassall versus $5,290 from Woodend.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Brassall cumulative | Woodend cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,551 | $11,499 | $1,052 |
| Year 3 | $38,794 | $35,542 | $3,252 |
| Year 5 | $66,635 | $61,050 | $5,585 |
| Year 10 | $143,883 | $131,823 | $12,060 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Brassall or Woodend cheaper to live in?
Woodend is cheaper to run by car at $11,499 per year versus $12,551 for Brassall, a difference of $1,052 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Brassall and Woodend?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,298 in Brassall (Ipswich City Council) and $1,298 in Woodend (Ipswich City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Brassall and $1,900 in Woodend. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Brassall and Woodend?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,453 from Brassall and $6,401 from Woodend to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Brassall and $192 from Woodend.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Brassall and Woodend?
At 3% annual cost growth, Brassall costs a cumulative $143,883 and Woodend costs $131,823 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $12,060 in favour of Woodend. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Brassall and Woodend is best to actually live in?
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Sources: Ipswich City Council and Ipswich 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.