Carole Park vs Ellen Grove, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Carole Park (Ipswich City Council) and Ellen Grove (Brisbane City Council) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Brisbane CBD (19.3 km and 18.1 km).
Ellen Grove runs $521 a year cheaper than Carole Park, driven mostly by council rates. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,972.
Over 10 years, Ellen Grove costs about $6,000 less to run than Carole Park. That's about $11 a week.
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Ellen Grove
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Carole Park | Ellen Grove | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,298 | $950 | +$348 |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $5,117 | $4,894 | +$223 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,100 | $2,150 | -$50 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,000 | $2,500 | -$500 |
| Total (driving) | $10,415 | $9,894 | +$521 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,490 | $5,192 | +$298 |
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 | Carole Park | Ellen Grove | 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, Carole Park vs Ellen Grove (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Ellen Grove costs $521 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,972 in favour of Ellen Grove.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $348 per year.
On public transport the gap is $298 per year, $5,490 from Carole Park versus $5,192 from Ellen Grove.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Ellen Grove by $348 a year, $950 against $1,298.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,900 a year.
- Driving commute favours Ellen Grove by $223 a year, $4,894 against $5,117.
- Building insurance favours Carole Park by $50 a year, $2,100 against $2,150.
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.
The catchment state school scores 5.6 in Carole Park against 3.6 in Ellen Grove, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Carole Park cumulative | Ellen Grove cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,415 | $9,894 | $521 |
| Year 3 | $32,192 | $30,581 | $1,611 |
| Year 5 | $55,295 | $52,529 | $2,766 |
| Year 10 | $119,396 | $113,424 | $5,972 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Carole Park or Ellen Grove cheaper to live in?
Ellen Grove is cheaper to run by car at $9,894 per year versus $10,415 for Carole Park, a difference of $521 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Carole Park and Ellen Grove?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,298 in Carole Park (Ipswich City Council) and $950 in Ellen Grove (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Carole Park and $1,900 in Ellen Grove. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Carole Park and Ellen Grove?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,117 from Carole Park and $4,894 from Ellen Grove to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Carole Park and $192 from Ellen Grove.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Carole Park and Ellen Grove?
At 3% annual cost growth, Carole Park costs a cumulative $119,396 and Ellen Grove costs $113,424 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,972 in favour of Ellen Grove. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Carole Park and Ellen Grove suits you better?
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Sources: Ipswich 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.