Chelmer vs Fig Tree Pocket, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Chelmer and Fig Tree Pocket are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 6.9 km and 9 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $287 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 the gap between these two is about $3,300, about $6 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Fig Tree Pocket
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Chelmer | Fig Tree Pocket | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $950 | $950 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,204 | $2,791 | -$587 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,450 | $2,150 | +$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $3,200 | $3,200 | - |
| Total (driving) | $7,504 | $7,791 | -$287 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,492 | $5,192 | +$300 |
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 | Chelmer | Fig Tree Pocket | 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, Chelmer vs Fig Tree Pocket (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Chelmer and Fig Tree Pocket differ by $287 a year by car, but $300 of that is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On the sourced costs, council rates, water and the commute, the gap is $587, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $587 per year. Fig Tree Pocket is 9 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $5,492 from Chelmer versus $5,192 from Fig Tree Pocket.
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 Chelmer by $587 a year, $2,204 against $2,791.
- Building insurance favours Fig Tree Pocket by $300 a year, $2,150 against $2,450.
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.
Fire risk is rated high in Fig Tree Pocket against low in Chelmer, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Chelmer cumulative | Fig Tree Pocket cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,504 | $7,791 | $287 |
| Year 3 | $23,194 | $24,081 | $887 |
| Year 5 | $39,840 | $41,363 | $1,523 |
| Year 10 | $86,025 | $89,315 | $3,290 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Chelmer or Fig Tree Pocket cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Chelmer runs $7,504 a year by car and Fig Tree Pocket $7,791, but most of the $287 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $587. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Chelmer and Fig Tree Pocket?
Annual council rates for a house are $950 in Chelmer (Brisbane City Council) and $950 in Fig Tree Pocket (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Chelmer and $1,900 in Fig Tree Pocket. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Chelmer and Fig Tree Pocket?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,204 from Chelmer and $2,791 from Fig Tree Pocket to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Chelmer and $192 from Fig Tree Pocket.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Chelmer and Fig Tree Pocket?
At 3% annual cost growth, Chelmer costs a cumulative $86,025 and Fig Tree Pocket costs $89,315 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,290 in favour of Chelmer. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Chelmer and Fig Tree Pocket 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.