About Blog Suburbs

Carindale vs Belmont

Annual running cost comparison for Brisbane home buyers · 2025–26 data

Data updated July 2025 · Council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance

Quick verdict: Carindale and Belmont sit within $144 of each other annually, less than $12 per month. Commute direction, school scores, and risk profile will drive the decision more than cost.

Annual running cost breakdown

Cost component Carindale Belmont
Council rates $1,519 $1,519
Water & sewerage $1,824 $1,824
Annual commute (driving) $836 $980
Home insurance (estimated) $2,800 $2,800
Total annual cost $6,979 $7,123
Distance to CBD 9.9 km 11.6 km

Teal = lower cost. Council rates from Brisbane City Council 2025-26 and Brisbane City Council 2025-26. Commute uses ATO 88c/km over ABS annual kilometres by location class. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary.

Cost breakdown detail

Both suburbs fall under Brisbane City Council 2025-26, paying the same general rate of $1,519 per year.

Driving commute costs are similar: $836 per year from Carindale and $980 from Belmont to Brisbane CBD.

Schools and risk profile

Factor Carindale Belmont
School score (ICSEA) 9.1/10 9.1/10
Nearest state primary Belmont State School Belmont State School
Nearest private school St Martin's School St Martin's School
Flood risk Low Low
Fire risk High High

School quality is similar in both suburbs. Carindale scores 9.1/10 and Belmont scores 9.1/10 on the ICSEA scale. Nearest state primary schools are Belmont State School and Belmont State School respectively.

Both suburbs share low flood risk and high fire risk according to Queensland government mapping.

Who each suburb suits

Choose Carindale if you
  • Buyers watching costs: Carindale saves $144 per year
  • City commuters: 9.9 km to CBD vs 11.6 km
Choose Belmont if you
  • Buyers drawn to Belmont's location relative to work and family

Frequently asked questions

  1. Which is cheaper to live in, Carindale or Belmont?

    Carindale and Belmont are within $144 of each other annually for a house. At that margin, commute direction and school scores will drive the decision more than running cost.

  2. How far is Carindale from Brisbane CBD compared to Belmont?

    Carindale is 9.9 km from Brisbane CBD. Belmont is 11.6 km from Brisbane CBD. Annual driving commute costs are $836 and $980 respectively, using the ATO 88 cents per kilometre rate over standard working days.

  3. Which suburb has better schools, Carindale or Belmont?

    Carindale rates higher on ICSEA school quality data at 9.1/10 versus 9.1/10 for Belmont. The nearest state primary in Carindale is Belmont State School; in Belmont it is Belmont State School. Source: ACARA ICSEA 2025.

  4. What are the flood and fire risks in Carindale versus Belmont?

    Carindale has low flood risk and high fire risk. Belmont has low flood risk and high fire risk. Source: Queensland Globe flood mapping and QFES bushfire prone land data.

  5. What are council rates in Carindale compared to Belmont?

    Annual council rates for a house in Carindale are $1,519 (Brisbane City Council 2025-26). In Belmont the rate is $1,519 (Brisbane City Council 2025-26). Water and sewerage charges add $1,824 in Carindale and $1,824 in Belmont per year.

  6. Is Carindale or Belmont better for families?

    Carindale scores 9.1/10 on schools and has lower flood and fire risk. For families running both checks, it wins on both counts.

Individual suburb profiles

See full annual cost breakdowns, 10-year projections, and school details on each suburb's profile page.

Compare up to five suburbs side by side

Get a free 5-page PDF report with cost breakdown, 10-year projection, school scores, and AI suburb recommendations.

Generate free comparison report →