Bulimba vs Hamilton, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Bulimba and Hamilton are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 4.1 km and 5.5 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Bulimba runs $431 a year cheaper than Hamilton, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,941.
Over 10 years, Bulimba costs about $4,900 less to run than Hamilton. That's about $10 a week.
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Hamilton
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bulimba | Hamilton | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $950 | $950 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,359 | $1,790 | -$431 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $3,200 | $3,200 | - |
| Total (driving) | $6,309 | $6,740 | -$431 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,142 | $5,142 | - |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Bulimba | Hamilton | 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, Bulimba vs Hamilton (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Bulimba costs $431 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,941 in favour of Bulimba.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $431 per year. Hamilton is 5.5 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, $5,142 and $5,142 a year, so the $431 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 Bulimba by $431 a year, $1,359 against $1,790.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,100 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.
Flood risk is rated medium in Bulimba against low in Hamilton, which feeds the insurance estimate. The catchment state school scores 9.1 in Bulimba against 7.2 in Hamilton, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bulimba cumulative | Hamilton cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $6,309 | $6,740 | $431 |
| Year 3 | $19,500 | $20,833 | $1,333 |
| Year 5 | $33,495 | $35,784 | $2,289 |
| Year 10 | $72,326 | $77,267 | $4,941 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bulimba or Hamilton cheaper to live in?
Bulimba is cheaper to run by car at $6,309 per year versus $6,740 for Hamilton, a difference of $431 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Bulimba and Hamilton?
Annual council rates for a house are $950 in Bulimba (Brisbane City Council) and $950 in Hamilton (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Bulimba and $1,900 in Hamilton. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Bulimba and Hamilton?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,359 from Bulimba and $1,790 from Hamilton to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Bulimba and $192 from Hamilton.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bulimba and Hamilton?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bulimba costs a cumulative $72,326 and Hamilton costs $77,267 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,941 in favour of Bulimba. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bulimba and Hamilton suits you better?
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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 insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.