Burbank vs Rochedale, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Burbank and Rochedale are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 16.9 km and 14.8 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Rochedale runs $543 a year cheaper than Burbank, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,225.
Over 10 years, Rochedale costs about $6,200 less to run than Burbank. That's about $12 a week.
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Rochedale
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Burbank | Rochedale | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $950 | $950 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $4,658 | $4,215 | +$443 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,250 | $2,150 | +$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,400 | $2,300 | +$100 |
| Total (driving) | $9,758 | $9,215 | +$543 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,292 | $5,192 | +$100 |
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 | Burbank | Rochedale | 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, Burbank vs Rochedale (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Rochedale costs $543 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $6,225 in favour of Rochedale.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $443 per year. Burbank is 16.9 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, $5,292 and $5,192 a year, so the $543 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 Rochedale by $443 a year, $4,215 against $4,658.
- Building insurance favours Rochedale by $100 a year, $2,150 against $2,250.
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 | Burbank cumulative | Rochedale cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,758 | $9,215 | $543 |
| Year 3 | $30,161 | $28,483 | $1,678 |
| Year 5 | $51,807 | $48,924 | $2,883 |
| Year 10 | $111,865 | $105,640 | $6,225 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Burbank or Rochedale cheaper to live in?
Rochedale is cheaper to run by car at $9,215 per year versus $9,758 for Burbank, a difference of $543 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Burbank and Rochedale?
Annual council rates for a house are $950 in Burbank (Brisbane City Council) and $950 in Rochedale (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Burbank and $1,900 in Rochedale. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Burbank and Rochedale?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,658 from Burbank and $4,215 from Rochedale to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Burbank and $192 from Rochedale.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Burbank and Rochedale?
At 3% annual cost growth, Burbank costs a cumulative $111,865 and Rochedale costs $105,640 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,225 in favour of Rochedale. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Burbank and Rochedale 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.