Brookfield vs Mount Coot-tha: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/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 $1,146 a year cheaper than Brookfield, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $13,138.
Over 10 years, Mount Coot-tha costs about $13,100 less to run than Brookfield — the same as paying $13,100 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 | $1,579 | $1,579 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,470 | $2,324 | +$1,146 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,100 | $3,100 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,800 | $3,200 | -$400 |
| Total (driving) | $10,049 | $8,903 | +$1,146 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,771 | $6,771 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Brookfield | Mount Coot-tha | 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 — Brookfield vs Mount Coot-tha (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Mount Coot-tha costs $1,146 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $13,138 in favour of Mount Coot-tha.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $1,146 per year. Brookfield is 12.1 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, $6,771 and $6,771 a year, so the $1,146 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Brookfield cumulative | Mount Coot-tha cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,049 | $8,903 | $1,146 |
| Year 3 | $31,060 | $27,518 | $3,542 |
| Year 5 | $53,352 | $47,267 | $6,085 |
| Year 10 | $115,201 | $102,063 | $13,138 |
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 $8,903 per year versus $10,049 for Brookfield, a difference of $1,146 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/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 $1,579 in Brookfield (Brisbane City Council) and $1,579 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 $3,470 from Brookfield and $2,324 from Mount Coot-tha to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/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 $115,201 and Mount Coot-tha costs $102,063 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $13,138 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?
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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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.