Browns Plains vs Drewvale: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/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 $1,366 a year cheaper than Browns Plains, driven mostly by council rates. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $15,660.
Over 10 years, Drewvale costs about $15,700 less to run than Browns Plains — the same as paying $15,700 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 | $1,699 | $950 | +$749 |
| Water & sewerage | $2,149 | $1,900 | +$249 |
| Commute (driving) | $5,510 | $5,242 | +$268 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,000 | $2,900 | +$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Total (driving) | $12,358 | $10,992 | +$1,366 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,040 | $5,942 | +$1,098 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Browns Plains | Drewvale | 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 — Browns Plains vs Drewvale (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Drewvale costs $1,366 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $15,660 in favour of Drewvale.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $749 per year.
On public transport the gap is $1,098 per year, $7,040 from Browns Plains versus $5,942 from Drewvale.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Drewvale by $749 a year, $950 against $1,699.
- Water and sewerage favours Drewvale by $249 a year, $1,900 against $2,149.
- Driving commute favours Drewvale by $268 a year, $5,242 against $5,510.
- Building insurance favours Drewvale by $100 a year, $2,900 against $3,000.
They sit in different council areas, so the rates line is set by two different councils. For QLD that figure is the minimum residential general rate for an owner-occupied principal place of residence, a floor rather than a typical bill.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Browns Plains cumulative | Drewvale cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,358 | $10,992 | $1,366 |
| Year 3 | $38,197 | $33,975 | $4,222 |
| Year 5 | $65,610 | $58,358 | $7,252 |
| Year 10 | $141,671 | $126,011 | $15,660 |
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 $10,992 per year versus $12,358 for Browns Plains, a difference of $1,366 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Browns Plains and Drewvale?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,699 in Browns Plains (Logan City Council) and $950 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 $5,510 from Browns Plains and $5,242 from Drewvale to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/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 $141,671 and Drewvale costs $126,011 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $15,660 in favour of Drewvale. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Browns Plains and Drewvale is best to actually live in?
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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 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.