Chapel Hill vs Kenmore Hills: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Chapel Hill and Kenmore Hills are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 8.2 km and 10 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Chapel Hill runs $686 a year cheaper than Kenmore Hills, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $7,865.
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 →Chapel Hill
Kenmore Hills
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Chapel Hill | Kenmore Hills | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $950 | $950 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,572 | $3,058 | -$486 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,900 | $3,100 | -$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,800 | $2,700 | +$100 |
| Total (driving) | $8,322 | $9,008 | -$686 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,942 | $6,142 | -$200 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Chapel Hill | Kenmore Hills | 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 — Chapel Hill vs Kenmore Hills (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Chapel Hill costs $686 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $7,865 in favour of Chapel Hill.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $486 per year. Kenmore Hills is 10 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $200 per year, $5,942 from Chapel Hill versus $6,142 from Kenmore Hills.
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 Chapel Hill by $486 a year, $2,572 against $3,058.
- Building insurance favours Chapel Hill by $200 a year, $2,900 against $3,100.
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.
Flood risk is rated medium in Kenmore Hills against low in Chapel Hill, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Chapel Hill cumulative | Kenmore Hills cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,322 | $9,008 | $686 |
| Year 3 | $25,722 | $27,843 | $2,121 |
| Year 5 | $44,183 | $47,825 | $3,642 |
| Year 10 | $95,402 | $103,267 | $7,865 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Chapel Hill or Kenmore Hills cheaper to live in?
Chapel Hill is cheaper to run by car at $8,322 per year versus $9,008 for Kenmore Hills, a difference of $686 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Chapel Hill and Kenmore Hills?
Annual council rates for a house are $950 in Chapel Hill (Brisbane City Council) and $950 in Kenmore Hills (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Chapel Hill and $1,900 in Kenmore Hills. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Chapel Hill and Kenmore Hills?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,572 from Chapel Hill and $3,058 from Kenmore Hills to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Chapel Hill and $192 from Kenmore Hills.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Chapel Hill and Kenmore Hills?
At 3% annual cost growth, Chapel Hill costs a cumulative $95,402 and Kenmore Hills costs $103,267 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $7,865 in favour of Chapel Hill. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Chapel Hill and Kenmore Hills 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: 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 AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.