Camp Hill vs Carina, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Camp Hill and Carina are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 6 km and 7.6 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $236 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 the gap between these two is about $2,700, about $5 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Carina
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Camp Hill | Carina | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $950 | $950 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,939 | $2,403 | -$464 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,150 | $1,450 | +$700 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $3,200 | $2,800 | +$400 |
| Total (driving) | $6,939 | $6,703 | +$236 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,192 | $4,492 | +$700 |
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 | Camp Hill | Carina | 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, Camp Hill vs Carina (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Camp Hill and Carina differ by $236 a year by car, but $700 of that is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On the sourced costs, council rates, water and the commute, the gap is $464, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $700 per year.
On public transport the gap is $700 per year, $5,192 from Camp Hill versus $4,492 from Carina.
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 Camp Hill by $464 a year, $1,939 against $2,403.
- Building insurance favours Carina by $700 a year, $1,450 against $2,150.
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.
Fire risk is rated high in Camp Hill against medium in Carina, which feeds the insurance estimate. The catchment state school scores 9.3 in Camp Hill against 6.9 in Carina, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Camp Hill cumulative | Carina cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $6,939 | $6,703 | $236 |
| Year 3 | $21,448 | $20,718 | $730 |
| Year 5 | $36,840 | $35,587 | $1,253 |
| Year 10 | $79,548 | $76,842 | $2,706 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Camp Hill or Carina cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Camp Hill runs $6,939 a year by car and Carina $6,703, but most of the $236 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $464. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Camp Hill and Carina?
Annual council rates for a house are $950 in Camp Hill (Brisbane City Council) and $950 in Carina (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Camp Hill and $1,900 in Carina. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Camp Hill and Carina?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,939 from Camp Hill and $2,403 from Carina to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Camp Hill and $192 from Carina.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Camp Hill and Carina?
At 3% annual cost growth, Camp Hill costs a cumulative $79,548 and Carina costs $76,842 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,706 in favour of Carina. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Camp Hill and Carina 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.