Brisbane Airport vs Nudgee, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Brisbane Airport and Nudgee are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 12.3 km and 13 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Nudgee runs $1,033 a year cheaper than Brisbane Airport, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $11,843.
Over 10 years the gap between these two is about $11,800, about $23 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Nudgee
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Brisbane Airport | Nudgee | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $950 | $950 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $3,637 | $3,804 | -$167 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $3,700 | $2,500 | +$1,200 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,800 | $2,400 | +$400 |
| Total (driving) | $10,187 | $9,154 | +$1,033 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,742 | $5,542 | +$1,200 |
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 | Brisbane Airport | Nudgee | 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, Brisbane Airport vs Nudgee (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Brisbane Airport and Nudgee differ by $1,033 a year by car, but $1,200 of that is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On the sourced costs, council rates, water and the commute, the gap is $167, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $1,200 per year. Brisbane Airport carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $1,200 per year, $6,742 from Brisbane Airport versus $5,542 from Nudgee.
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 Brisbane Airport by $167 a year, $3,637 against $3,804.
- Building insurance favours Nudgee by $1,200 a year, $2,500 against $3,700.
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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Brisbane Airport cumulative | Nudgee cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,187 | $9,154 | $1,033 |
| Year 3 | $31,487 | $28,294 | $3,193 |
| Year 5 | $54,084 | $48,600 | $5,484 |
| Year 10 | $116,783 | $104,940 | $11,843 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Brisbane Airport or Nudgee cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Brisbane Airport runs $10,187 a year by car and Nudgee $9,154, but most of the $1,033 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $167. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Brisbane Airport and Nudgee?
Annual council rates for a house are $950 in Brisbane Airport (Brisbane City Council) and $950 in Nudgee (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Brisbane Airport and $1,900 in Nudgee. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Brisbane Airport and Nudgee?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,637 from Brisbane Airport and $3,804 from Nudgee to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Brisbane Airport and $192 from Nudgee.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Brisbane Airport and Nudgee?
At 3% annual cost growth, Brisbane Airport costs a cumulative $116,783 and Nudgee costs $104,940 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $11,843 in favour of Nudgee. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Brisbane Airport and Nudgee 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.