Carbrook vs Redland Bay: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Carbrook (Logan City Council) and Redland Bay (Redland City Council) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Brisbane CBD (32.2 km and 32.9 km).
Redland Bay runs $477 a year cheaper than Carbrook, driven mostly by council rates. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,468.
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 →Carbrook
Redland Bay
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Carbrook | Redland Bay | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,816 | $1,436 | +$380 |
| Water & sewerage | $2,149 | $2,308 | -$159 |
| Commute (driving) | $6,501 | $6,545 | -$44 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,200 | $2,900 | +$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,000 | $2,200 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $13,666 | $13,189 | +$477 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,357 | $6,836 | +$521 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Carbrook | Redland Bay | 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 — Carbrook vs Redland Bay (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Redland Bay costs $477 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,468 in favour of Redland Bay.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $380 per year.
On public transport the gap is $521 per year, $7,357 from Carbrook versus $6,836 from Redland Bay.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Carbrook cumulative | Redland Bay cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $13,666 | $13,189 | $477 |
| Year 3 | $42,240 | $40,766 | $1,474 |
| Year 5 | $72,555 | $70,022 | $2,533 |
| Year 10 | $156,665 | $151,197 | $5,468 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Carbrook or Redland Bay cheaper to live in?
Redland Bay is cheaper to run by car at $13,189 per year versus $13,666 for Carbrook, a difference of $477 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Carbrook and Redland Bay?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,816 in Carbrook (Logan City Council) and $1,436 in Redland Bay (Redland City Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,149 in Carbrook and $2,308 in Redland Bay. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Carbrook and Redland Bay?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,501 from Carbrook and $6,545 from Redland Bay to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Carbrook and $192 from Redland Bay.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Carbrook and Redland Bay?
At 3% annual cost growth, Carbrook costs a cumulative $156,665 and Redland Bay costs $151,197 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,468 in favour of Redland Bay. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Carbrook and Redland Bay 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: Logan 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.