Bulimba vs Teneriffe, 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 Teneriffe are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 4.1 km and 2.7 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $197 a year of each other to run, so running cost is a minor factor here. The decision comes down to schools, risk and lifestyle, all in the free report.
Over 10 years the gap between these two is about $2,300, about $4 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Teneriffe
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bulimba | Teneriffe | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $950 | $950 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,359 | $912 | +$447 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,100 | $2,350 | -$250 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $3,200 | $5,500 | -$2,300 |
| Total (driving) | $6,309 | $6,112 | +$197 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,142 | $5,392 | -$250 |
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 | Teneriffe | 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 Teneriffe (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Bulimba and Teneriffe differ by $197 a year by car, but $250 of that is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On the sourced costs, council rates, water and the commute, the gap is $447, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $447 per year. Bulimba is 4.1 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $250 per year, $5,142 from Bulimba versus $5,392 from Teneriffe.
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 Teneriffe by $447 a year, $912 against $1,359.
- Building insurance favours Bulimba by $250 a year, $2,100 against $2,350.
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 | Bulimba cumulative | Teneriffe cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $6,309 | $6,112 | $197 |
| Year 3 | $19,500 | $18,892 | $608 |
| Year 5 | $33,495 | $32,449 | $1,046 |
| Year 10 | $72,326 | $70,067 | $2,259 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bulimba or Teneriffe cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Bulimba runs $6,309 a year by car and Teneriffe $6,112, but most of the $197 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $447. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Bulimba and Teneriffe?
Annual council rates for a house are $950 in Bulimba (Brisbane City Council) and $950 in Teneriffe (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Bulimba and $1,900 in Teneriffe. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Bulimba and Teneriffe?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,359 from Bulimba and $912 from Teneriffe to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Bulimba and $192 from Teneriffe.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bulimba and Teneriffe?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bulimba costs a cumulative $72,326 and Teneriffe costs $70,067 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,259 in favour of Teneriffe. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bulimba and Teneriffe 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.