Camira vs Ellen Grove, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Camira (Ipswich City Council) and Ellen Grove (Brisbane City Council) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Brisbane CBD (21 km and 18.1 km).
Ellen Grove runs $766 a year cheaper than Camira, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $8,781.
Over 10 years, Ellen Grove costs about $8,800 less to run than Camira. That's about $17 a week.
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Ellen Grove
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Camira | Ellen Grove | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,298 | $950 | +$348 |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $5,412 | $4,894 | +$518 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,050 | $2,150 | -$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,800 | $2,500 | -$700 |
| Total (driving) | $10,660 | $9,894 | +$766 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,440 | $5,192 | +$248 |
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 | Camira | Ellen Grove | 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, Camira vs Ellen Grove (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Ellen Grove costs $766 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $8,781 in favour of Ellen Grove.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $518 per year. Camira is 21 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $248 per year, $5,440 from Camira versus $5,192 from Ellen Grove.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Ellen Grove by $348 a year, $950 against $1,298.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,900 a year.
- Driving commute favours Ellen Grove by $518 a year, $4,894 against $5,412.
- Building insurance favours Camira by $100 a year, $2,050 against $2,150.
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 5.6 in Camira against 3.6 in Ellen Grove, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Camira cumulative | Ellen Grove cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,660 | $9,894 | $766 |
| Year 3 | $32,949 | $30,581 | $2,368 |
| Year 5 | $56,595 | $52,529 | $4,066 |
| Year 10 | $122,205 | $113,424 | $8,781 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Camira or Ellen Grove cheaper to live in?
Ellen Grove is cheaper to run by car at $9,894 per year versus $10,660 for Camira, a difference of $766 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Camira and Ellen Grove?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,298 in Camira (Ipswich City Council) and $950 in Ellen Grove (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Camira and $1,900 in Ellen Grove. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Camira and Ellen Grove?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,412 from Camira and $4,894 from Ellen Grove to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Camira and $192 from Ellen Grove.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Camira and Ellen Grove?
At 3% annual cost growth, Camira costs a cumulative $122,205 and Ellen Grove costs $113,424 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $8,781 in favour of Ellen Grove. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Camira and Ellen Grove suits you better?
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Sources: Ipswich 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.