Camp Hill vs Carina Heights: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Camp Hill and Carina Heights are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 6 km and 7.7 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Camp Hill runs $577 a year cheaper than Carina Heights, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,615.
Over 10 years these two cost about the same to run. The difference here isn't money — it's location, schools and lifestyle.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Camp Hill
Carina Heights
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Camp Hill | Carina Heights | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,579 | $1,579 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $1,875 | $2,352 | -$477 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,800 | $2,900 | -$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $3,200 | $2,700 | +$500 |
| Total (driving) | $8,154 | $8,731 | -$577 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,471 | $6,571 | -$100 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Camp Hill | Carina Heights | 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 — Camp Hill vs Carina Heights (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Camp Hill costs $577 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $6,615 in favour of Camp Hill.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $477 per year. Carina Heights is 7.7 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $6,471 and $6,571 a year, so the $577 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Camp Hill cumulative | Carina Heights cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,154 | $8,731 | $577 |
| Year 3 | $25,203 | $26,987 | $1,784 |
| Year 5 | $43,291 | $46,354 | $3,063 |
| Year 10 | $93,476 | $100,091 | $6,615 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Camp Hill or Carina Heights cheaper to live in?
Camp Hill is cheaper to run by car at $8,154 per year versus $8,731 for Carina Heights, a difference of $577 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Camp Hill and Carina Heights?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,579 in Camp Hill (Brisbane City Council) and $1,579 in Carina Heights (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Camp Hill and $1,900 in Carina Heights. 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 Heights?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,875 from Camp Hill and $2,352 from Carina Heights to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Camp Hill and $192 from Carina Heights.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Camp Hill and Carina Heights?
At 3% annual cost growth, Camp Hill costs a cumulative $93,476 and Carina Heights costs $100,091 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,615 in favour of Camp Hill. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Camp Hill and Carina Heights is best to actually live in?
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: Brisbane City Council and Brisbane 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.