Brendale vs Strathpine: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Brendale and Strathpine are both Moreton Bay Regional Council suburbs, sitting 16.9 km and 19.1 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Brendale runs $509 a year cheaper than Strathpine, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,835.
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 →Brendale
Strathpine
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Brendale | Strathpine | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,636 | $1,636 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,144 | $2,144 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,504 | $4,913 | -$409 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,800 | $2,900 | -$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,600 | $2,200 | +$400 |
| Total (driving) | $11,084 | $11,593 | -$509 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,772 | $6,872 | -$100 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Brendale | Strathpine | 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 — Brendale vs Strathpine (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Brendale costs $509 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,835 in favour of Brendale.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $409 per year. Strathpine is 19.1 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, $6,772 and $6,872 a year, so the $509 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Brendale cumulative | Strathpine cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,084 | $11,593 | $509 |
| Year 3 | $34,260 | $35,833 | $1,573 |
| Year 5 | $58,846 | $61,549 | $2,703 |
| Year 10 | $127,066 | $132,901 | $5,835 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Brendale or Strathpine cheaper to live in?
Brendale is cheaper to run by car at $11,084 per year versus $11,593 for Strathpine, a difference of $509 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Brendale and Strathpine?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,636 in Brendale (Moreton Bay Regional Council) and $1,636 in Strathpine (Moreton Bay Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,144 in Brendale and $2,144 in Strathpine. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Brendale and Strathpine?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,504 from Brendale and $4,913 from Strathpine to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Brendale and $192 from Strathpine.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Brendale and Strathpine?
At 3% annual cost growth, Brendale costs a cumulative $127,066 and Strathpine costs $132,901 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,835 in favour of Brendale. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Brendale and Strathpine 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: 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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.