Cedar Grove vs Riverbend: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Cedar Grove and Riverbend are both Logan City Council suburbs, sitting 43.6 km and 40 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $245 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 these two cost about the same to run. The difference here isn't money — it's location, schools and lifestyle.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Cedar Grove
Riverbend
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Cedar Grove | Riverbend | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,699 | $1,699 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,149 | $2,149 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,933 | $6,988 | -$55 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,200 | $2,900 | +$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,600 | $1,800 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $13,981 | $13,736 | +$245 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,240 | $6,940 | +$300 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Cedar Grove | Riverbend | 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 — Cedar Grove vs Riverbend (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Cedar Grove and Riverbend cost within $245 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,808, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $300 per year.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $7,240 from Cedar Grove versus $6,940 from Riverbend.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,699 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $2,149 a year.
- Driving commute favours Cedar Grove by $55 a year, $6,933 against $6,988.
- Building insurance favours Riverbend by $300 a year, $2,900 against $3,200.
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 and the insurance band.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Cedar Grove cumulative | Riverbend cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $13,981 | $13,736 | $245 |
| Year 3 | $43,214 | $42,457 | $757 |
| Year 5 | $74,227 | $72,926 | $1,301 |
| Year 10 | $160,276 | $157,468 | $2,808 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cedar Grove or Riverbend cheaper to live in?
Riverbend is cheaper to run by car at $13,736 per year versus $13,981 for Cedar Grove, a difference of $245 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Cedar Grove and Riverbend?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,699 in Cedar Grove (Logan City Council) and $1,699 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 $6,933 from Cedar Grove and $6,988 from Riverbend to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/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 $160,276 and Riverbend costs $157,468 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,808 in favour of Riverbend. 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 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.