Camira vs Gailes, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Camira and Gailes are both Ipswich City Council suburbs, sitting 21 km and 19.2 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $63 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 these two cost about the same to run.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict → Personalise this comparison with your own commute, home type and loan → Neither quite right? Find the Brisbane suburbs that fit your budget →Camira
Gailes
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Camira | Gailes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,298 | $1,298 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $5,412 | $5,099 | +$313 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,050 | $2,300 | -$250 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,800 | $2,000 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $10,660 | $10,597 | +$63 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,440 | $5,690 | -$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 | Camira | Gailes | 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 Gailes (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Camira and Gailes cost within $63 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $722, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $313 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 $250 per year, $5,440 from Camira versus $5,690 from Gailes.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,298 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,900 a year.
- Driving commute favours Gailes by $313 a year, $5,099 against $5,412.
- Building insurance favours Camira by $250 a year, $2,050 against $2,300.
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 | Camira cumulative | Gailes cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,660 | $10,597 | $63 |
| Year 3 | $32,949 | $32,754 | $195 |
| Year 5 | $56,595 | $56,261 | $334 |
| Year 10 | $122,205 | $121,483 | $722 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Camira or Gailes cheaper to live in?
Gailes is cheaper to run by car at $10,597 per year versus $10,660 for Camira, a difference of $63 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Camira and Gailes?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,298 in Camira (Ipswich City Council) and $1,298 in Gailes (Ipswich City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Camira and $1,900 in Gailes. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Camira and Gailes?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,412 from Camira and $5,099 from Gailes to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Camira and $192 from Gailes.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Camira and Gailes?
At 3% annual cost growth, Camira costs a cumulative $122,205 and Gailes costs $121,483 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $722 in favour of Gailes. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Camira and Gailes suits you better?
You've got the costs. Get the free personalised report for the rest: a clear verdict on which suburb wins, the full flood, fire and crime risk profile, nearest schools, estimated electricity cost by number of occupants, and your own loan or rent stress-tested over 10 years. No spam.
Related comparisons
Sources: Ipswich City Council and Ipswich 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.