Burbank vs Sheldon, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Burbank (Brisbane City Council) and Sheldon (Redland City Council) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Brisbane CBD (16.9 km and 21.5 km).
Burbank runs $1,580 a year cheaper than Sheldon, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $18,112.
Over 10 years, Burbank costs about $18,100 less to run than Sheldon. That's about $35 a week.
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Sheldon
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Burbank | Sheldon | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $950 | $1,436 | -$486 |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,900 | $2,308 | -$408 |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $4,658 | $5,494 | -$836 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,250 | $2,100 | +$150 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,400 | $2,600 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $9,758 | $11,338 | -$1,580 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,292 | $6,036 | -$744 |
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 | Sheldon | 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 Sheldon (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Burbank costs $1,580 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $18,112 in favour of Burbank.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $836 per year. Sheldon is 21.5 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $744 per year, $5,292 from Burbank versus $6,036 from Sheldon.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Burbank by $486 a year, $950 against $1,436.
- Water and sewerage favours Burbank by $408 a year, $1,900 against $2,308.
- Driving commute favours Burbank by $836 a year, $4,658 against $5,494.
- Building insurance favours Sheldon by $150 a year, $2,100 against $2,250.
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.
The catchment state school scores 8.8 in Burbank against 5.7 in Sheldon, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Burbank cumulative | Sheldon cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,758 | $11,338 | $1,580 |
| Year 3 | $30,161 | $35,045 | $4,884 |
| Year 5 | $51,807 | $60,195 | $8,388 |
| Year 10 | $111,865 | $129,977 | $18,112 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Burbank or Sheldon cheaper to live in?
Burbank is cheaper to run by car at $9,758 per year versus $11,338 for Sheldon, a difference of $1,580 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Burbank and Sheldon?
Annual council rates for a house are $950 in Burbank (Brisbane City Council) and $1,436 in Sheldon (Redland City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Burbank and $2,308 in Sheldon. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Burbank and Sheldon?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,658 from Burbank and $5,494 from Sheldon to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Burbank and $192 from Sheldon.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Burbank and Sheldon?
At 3% annual cost growth, Burbank costs a cumulative $111,865 and Sheldon costs $129,977 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $18,112 in favour of Burbank. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Burbank and Sheldon suits you better?
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Sources: Brisbane City Council and Redland 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.