Buccan vs Waterford: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Buccan and Waterford are both Logan City Council suburbs, sitting 32.1 km and 28.9 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Waterford runs $465 a year cheaper than Buccan, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,331.
Over 10 years these two cost about the same to run. The difference here isn't money — it's location, schools and lifestyle.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Buccan
Waterford
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Buccan | Waterford | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,699 | $1,699 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,149 | $2,149 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,716 | $6,451 | +$265 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,000 | $2,800 | +$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,000 | $2,200 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $13,564 | $13,099 | +$465 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,040 | $6,840 | +$200 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Buccan | Waterford | 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 — Buccan vs Waterford (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Waterford costs $465 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,331 in favour of Waterford.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $265 per year. Buccan is 32.1 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $200 per year, $7,040 from Buccan versus $6,840 from Waterford.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,699 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $2,149 a year.
- Driving commute favours Waterford by $265 a year, $6,451 against $6,716.
- Building insurance favours Waterford by $200 a year, $2,800 against $3,000.
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 | Buccan cumulative | Waterford cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $13,564 | $13,099 | $465 |
| Year 3 | $41,925 | $40,488 | $1,437 |
| Year 5 | $72,013 | $69,544 | $2,469 |
| Year 10 | $155,496 | $150,165 | $5,331 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Buccan or Waterford cheaper to live in?
Waterford is cheaper to run by car at $13,099 per year versus $13,564 for Buccan, a difference of $465 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Buccan and Waterford?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,699 in Buccan (Logan City Council) and $1,699 in Waterford (Logan City Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,149 in Buccan and $2,149 in Waterford. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Buccan and Waterford?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,716 from Buccan and $6,451 from Waterford to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Buccan and $192 from Waterford.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Buccan and Waterford?
At 3% annual cost growth, Buccan costs a cumulative $155,496 and Waterford costs $150,165 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,331 in favour of Waterford. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Buccan and Waterford 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.
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Sources: Logan City Council and Logan 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.