Browns Plains vs Drewvale: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Browns Plains (Logan City Council) and Drewvale (Brisbane City Council) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Brisbane CBD (21.6 km and 20 km).
Drewvale runs $845 a year cheaper than Browns Plains, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $9,687.
Over 10 years, Drewvale costs about $9,700 less to run than Browns Plains — the same as paying $9,700 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Drewvale
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Browns Plains | Drewvale | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,816 | $1,579 | +$237 |
| Water & sewerage | $2,149 | $1,900 | +$249 |
| Commute (driving) | $5,328 | $5,069 | +$259 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,000 | $2,900 | +$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Total (driving) | $12,293 | $11,448 | +$845 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,157 | $6,571 | +$586 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Browns Plains | Drewvale | 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 — Browns Plains vs Drewvale (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Drewvale costs $845 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $9,687 in favour of Drewvale.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $259 per year. Browns Plains is 21.6 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the gap is $586 per year, $7,157 from Browns Plains versus $6,571 from Drewvale.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Browns Plains cumulative | Drewvale cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,293 | $11,448 | $845 |
| Year 3 | $37,996 | $35,385 | $2,611 |
| Year 5 | $65,265 | $60,779 | $4,486 |
| Year 10 | $140,925 | $131,238 | $9,687 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Browns Plains or Drewvale cheaper to live in?
Drewvale is cheaper to run by car at $11,448 per year versus $12,293 for Browns Plains, a difference of $845 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Browns Plains and Drewvale?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,816 in Browns Plains (Logan City Council) and $1,579 in Drewvale (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,149 in Browns Plains and $1,900 in Drewvale. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Browns Plains and Drewvale?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,328 from Browns Plains and $5,069 from Drewvale to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Browns Plains and $192 from Drewvale.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Browns Plains and Drewvale?
At 3% annual cost growth, Browns Plains costs a cumulative $140,925 and Drewvale costs $131,238 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $9,687 in favour of Drewvale. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Browns Plains and Drewvale 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: Logan 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.