Brookfield vs Mount Coot-tha: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Brookfield and Mount Coot-tha are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 12.1 km and 7.6 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Mount Coot-tha runs $1,185 a year cheaper than Brookfield, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $13,584.
Over 10 years, Mount Coot-tha costs about $13,600 less to run than Brookfield — the same as paying $13,600 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Mount Coot-tha
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Brookfield | Mount Coot-tha | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $950 | $950 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,588 | $2,403 | +$1,185 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,100 | $3,100 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,800 | $3,200 | -$400 |
| Total (driving) | $9,538 | $8,353 | +$1,185 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,142 | $6,142 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Brookfield | Mount Coot-tha | 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 — Brookfield vs Mount Coot-tha (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Mount Coot-tha costs $1,185 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $13,584 in favour of Mount Coot-tha.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $1,185 per year. Brookfield is 12.1 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, $6,142 and $6,142 a year, so the $1,185 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 Mount Coot-tha by $1,185 a year, $2,403 against $3,588.
- Building insurance is identical at $3,100 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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Brookfield cumulative | Mount Coot-tha cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,538 | $8,353 | $1,185 |
| Year 3 | $29,481 | $25,818 | $3,663 |
| Year 5 | $50,639 | $44,347 | $6,292 |
| Year 10 | $109,342 | $95,758 | $13,584 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Brookfield or Mount Coot-tha cheaper to live in?
Mount Coot-tha is cheaper to run by car at $8,353 per year versus $9,538 for Brookfield, a difference of $1,185 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Brookfield and Mount Coot-tha?
Annual council rates for a house are $950 in Brookfield (Brisbane City Council) and $950 in Mount Coot-tha (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Brookfield and $1,900 in Mount Coot-tha. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Brookfield and Mount Coot-tha?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,588 from Brookfield and $2,403 from Mount Coot-tha to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Brookfield and $192 from Mount Coot-tha.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Brookfield and Mount Coot-tha?
At 3% annual cost growth, Brookfield costs a cumulative $109,342 and Mount Coot-tha costs $95,758 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $13,584 in favour of Mount Coot-tha. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Brookfield and Mount Coot-tha 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: 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 AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.