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Chermside vs Aspley

Annual running cost comparison for Brisbane home buyers · 2025–26 data

Data updated July 2025 · Council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance

Quick verdict: Chermside and Aspley sit within $169 of each other annually, less than $14 per month. Commute direction, school scores, and risk profile will drive the decision more than cost. Aspley scores 8.6/10 on schools versus 4.0/10 for Chermside. Chermside has lower combined flood and fire risk.

Annual running cost breakdown

Cost component Chermside Aspley
Council rates $1,519 $1,519
Water & sewerage $1,824 $1,824
Annual commute (driving) $803 $972
Home insurance (estimated) $1,850 $1,850
Total annual cost $5,996 $6,165
Distance to CBD 9.5 km 11.5 km

Teal = lower cost. Council rates from Brisbane City Council 2025-26 and Brisbane City Council 2025-26. Commute uses ATO 88c/km over ABS annual kilometres by location class. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary.

Cost breakdown detail

Both suburbs fall under Brisbane City Council 2025-26, paying the same general rate of $1,519 per year.

Driving commute costs are similar: $803 per year from Chermside and $972 from Aspley to Brisbane CBD.

Schools and risk profile

Factor Chermside Aspley
School score (ICSEA) 4.0/10 8.6/10
Nearest state primary Wavell Heights State School Aspley State School
Nearest private school Our Lady of the Angels' School St Dympna's Parish School
Flood risk Low Low
Fire risk Low Medium

Aspley has the stronger school profile at 8.6/10 versus 4.0/10 for Chermside (ICSEA scale, higher = better). Nearest state primaries: Wavell Heights State School (Chermside) and Aspley State School (Aspley).

Chermside carries low flood risk and low fire risk. Aspley has low flood risk and medium fire risk. Source: Queensland Globe and QFES mapping.

Who each suburb suits

Choose Chermside if you
  • Buyers watching costs: Chermside saves $169 per year
  • City commuters: 9.5 km to CBD vs 11.5 km
  • Buyers who want lower flood and fire risk
Choose Aspley if you
  • Families prioritising school scores: 8.6/10

Frequently asked questions

  1. Which is cheaper to live in, Chermside or Aspley?

    Chermside and Aspley are within $169 of each other annually for a house. At that margin, commute direction and school scores will drive the decision more than running cost.

  2. How far is Chermside from Brisbane CBD compared to Aspley?

    Chermside is 9.5 km from Brisbane CBD. Aspley is 11.5 km from Brisbane CBD. Annual driving commute costs are $803 and $972 respectively, using the ATO 88 cents per kilometre rate over standard working days.

  3. Which suburb has better schools, Chermside or Aspley?

    Aspley rates higher on ICSEA school quality data at 8.6/10 versus 4.0/10 for Chermside. The nearest state primary in Chermside is Wavell Heights State School; in Aspley it is Aspley State School. Source: ACARA ICSEA 2025.

  4. What are the flood and fire risks in Chermside versus Aspley?

    Chermside has low flood risk and low fire risk. Aspley has low flood risk and medium fire risk. Source: Queensland Globe flood mapping and QFES bushfire prone land data.

  5. What are council rates in Chermside compared to Aspley?

    Annual council rates for a house in Chermside are $1,519 (Brisbane City Council 2025-26). In Aspley the rate is $1,519 (Brisbane City Council 2025-26). Water and sewerage charges add $1,824 in Chermside and $1,824 in Aspley per year.

  6. Is Chermside or Aspley better for families?

    Aspley scores higher on schools at 8.6/10 versus 4.0/10. Chermside has lower combined flood and fire risk. Those two factors point in different directions for this pair.

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