Carbrook vs Redland Bay, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/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 $409 a year cheaper than Carbrook, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,689.
Over 10 years the gap between these two is about $4,700, about $9 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Redland Bay
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Carbrook | Redland Bay | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,699 | $1,436 | +$263 |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,149 | $2,308 | -$159 |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,723 | $6,768 | -$45 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,450 | $2,100 | +$350 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,000 | $2,200 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $13,021 | $12,612 | +$409 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,490 | $6,036 | +$454 |
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 | Carbrook | Redland Bay | 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, Carbrook vs Redland Bay (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Carbrook and Redland Bay differ by $409 a year by car, but $350 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 $59, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $350 per year.
On public transport the gap is $454 per year, $6,490 from Carbrook versus $6,036 from Redland Bay.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Redland Bay by $263 a year, $1,436 against $1,699.
- Water and sewerage favours Carbrook by $159 a year, $2,149 against $2,308.
- Driving commute favours Carbrook by $45 a year, $6,723 against $6,768.
- Building insurance favours Redland Bay by $350 a year, $2,100 against $2,450.
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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Carbrook cumulative | Redland Bay cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $13,021 | $12,612 | $409 |
| Year 3 | $40,247 | $38,982 | $1,265 |
| Year 5 | $69,130 | $66,959 | $2,171 |
| Year 10 | $149,271 | $144,582 | $4,689 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Carbrook or Redland Bay cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Carbrook runs $13,021 a year by car and Redland Bay $12,612, but most of the $409 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $59. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Carbrook and Redland Bay?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,699 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 $6,723 from Carbrook and $6,768 from Redland Bay to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/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 $149,271 and Redland Bay costs $144,582 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,689 in favour of Redland Bay. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Carbrook and Redland Bay suits you better?
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Sources: Logan City Council and Redland 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.