Cedar Grove vs Riverbend: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Cedar Grove and Riverbend are both Logan City Council suburbs, sitting 14.6 km and 40 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Cedar Grove runs $2,425 a year cheaper than Riverbend, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $27,799.
Over 10 years, Cedar Grove costs about $27,800 less to run than Riverbend — the same as paying $27,800 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Riverbend
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Cedar Grove | Riverbend | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,816 | $1,816 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,149 | $2,149 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,033 | $6,758 | -$2,725 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,200 | $2,900 | +$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,600 | $1,800 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $11,198 | $13,623 | -$2,425 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,357 | $7,057 | +$300 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Cedar Grove | Riverbend | 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 — Cedar Grove vs Riverbend (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Cedar Grove costs $2,425 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $27,799 in favour of Cedar Grove.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $2,725 per year. Riverbend is 40 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $7,357 from Cedar Grove versus $7,057 from Riverbend.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Cedar Grove cumulative | Riverbend cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,198 | $13,623 | $2,425 |
| Year 3 | $34,612 | $42,107 | $7,495 |
| Year 5 | $59,452 | $72,326 | $12,874 |
| Year 10 | $128,373 | $156,172 | $27,799 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cedar Grove or Riverbend cheaper to live in?
Cedar Grove is cheaper to run by car at $11,198 per year versus $13,623 for Riverbend, a difference of $2,425 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Cedar Grove and Riverbend?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,816 in Cedar Grove (Logan City Council) and $1,816 in Riverbend (Logan City Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,149 in Cedar Grove and $2,149 in Riverbend. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Cedar Grove and Riverbend?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,033 from Cedar Grove and $6,758 from Riverbend to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Cedar Grove and $192 from Riverbend.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Cedar Grove and Riverbend?
At 3% annual cost growth, Cedar Grove costs a cumulative $128,373 and Riverbend costs $156,172 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $27,799 in favour of Cedar Grove. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Cedar Grove and Riverbend 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 Logan 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.