Carseldine vs Fitzgibbon, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Carseldine and Fitzgibbon are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 13.8 km and 14.6 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $179 a year of each other to run, so running cost is a minor factor here. The decision comes down to schools, risk and lifestyle, all in the free report.
Over 10 years, Carseldine costs about $2,100 less to run than Fitzgibbon. That's about $4 a week.
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Fitzgibbon
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Carseldine | Fitzgibbon | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $950 | $950 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $3,991 | $4,170 | -$179 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,250 | $2,250 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,500 | $2,800 | -$300 |
| Total (driving) | $9,091 | $9,270 | -$179 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,292 | $5,292 | - |
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 | Carseldine | Fitzgibbon | 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, Carseldine vs Fitzgibbon (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Carseldine and Fitzgibbon cost within $179 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,052, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $179 per year. Fitzgibbon is 14.6 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $5,292 and $5,292 a year, so the $179 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $950 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,900 a year.
- Driving commute favours Carseldine by $179 a year, $3,991 against $4,170.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,250 a year.
Both suburbs sit in the same council area, so the rates line is identical and none of the difference between them comes from council. What separates them is commute distance.
Flood risk is rated high in Fitzgibbon against medium in Carseldine, which feeds the insurance estimate. The catchment state school scores 7.6 in Carseldine against 5 in Fitzgibbon, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Carseldine cumulative | Fitzgibbon cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,091 | $9,270 | $179 |
| Year 3 | $28,099 | $28,653 | $554 |
| Year 5 | $48,265 | $49,216 | $951 |
| Year 10 | $104,218 | $106,270 | $2,052 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Carseldine or Fitzgibbon cheaper to live in?
Carseldine is cheaper to run by car at $9,091 per year versus $9,270 for Fitzgibbon, a difference of $179 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Carseldine and Fitzgibbon?
Annual council rates for a house are $950 in Carseldine (Brisbane City Council) and $950 in Fitzgibbon (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Carseldine and $1,900 in Fitzgibbon. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Carseldine and Fitzgibbon?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,991 from Carseldine and $4,170 from Fitzgibbon to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Carseldine and $192 from Fitzgibbon.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Carseldine and Fitzgibbon?
At 3% annual cost growth, Carseldine costs a cumulative $104,218 and Fitzgibbon costs $106,270 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,052 in favour of Carseldine. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Carseldine and Fitzgibbon suits you better?
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Sources: Brisbane 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.