Burbank vs Sheldon: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/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 $1,024 a year cheaper than Sheldon, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $11,739.
Over 10 years, Burbank costs about $11,700 less to run than Sheldon — the same as paying $11,700 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Sheldon
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Burbank | Sheldon | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,579 | $1,436 | +$143 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $2,308 | -$408 |
| Commute (driving) | $4,504 | $5,313 | -$809 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,950 | $2,900 | +$50 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,400 | $2,600 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $10,933 | $11,957 | -$1,024 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,621 | $6,836 | -$215 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Burbank | Sheldon | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $1,976 | $1,976 | - |
| Unit | $1,591 | $1,591 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2025 rates (QLD 30c/kWh, NSW 33c/kWh incl. supply charge; 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 $1,024 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $11,739 in favour of Burbank.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $809 per year. Sheldon is 21.5 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the gap is $215 per year, $6,621 from Burbank versus $6,836 from Sheldon.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Burbank cumulative | Sheldon cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,933 | $11,957 | $1,024 |
| Year 3 | $33,793 | $36,958 | $3,165 |
| Year 5 | $58,045 | $63,481 | $5,436 |
| Year 10 | $125,335 | $137,074 | $11,739 |
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 $10,933 per year versus $11,957 for Sheldon, a difference of $1,024 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Burbank and Sheldon?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,579 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 $4,504 from Burbank and $5,313 from Sheldon to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/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 $125,335 and Sheldon costs $137,074 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $11,739 in favour of Burbank. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Burbank and Sheldon is best to actually live in?
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Related comparisons
Sources: Brisbane City Council and Redland City Council rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.