Chermside vs Kedron: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Chermside and Kedron are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 9.5 km and 7.3 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Kedron runs $707 a year cheaper than Chermside, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $8,105.
Over 10 years, Kedron costs about $8,100 less to run than Chermside — the same as paying $8,100 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Kedron
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Chermside | Kedron | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $950 | $950 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,925 | $2,318 | +$607 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,850 | $1,750 | +$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $3,000 | $2,800 | +$200 |
| Total (driving) | $7,625 | $6,918 | +$707 |
| Total (public transport) | $4,892 | $4,792 | +$100 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Chermside | Kedron | 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 — Chermside vs Kedron (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Kedron costs $707 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $8,105 in favour of Kedron.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $607 per year. Chermside is 9.5 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $4,892 and $4,792 a year, so the $707 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
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 Kedron by $607 a year, $2,318 against $2,925.
- Building insurance favours Kedron by $100 a year, $1,750 against $1,850.
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 Chermside against low in Kedron, which feeds the insurance estimate. The catchment state school scores 9.1 in Kedron against 5.6 in Chermside, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Chermside cumulative | Kedron cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,625 | $6,918 | $707 |
| Year 3 | $23,568 | $21,383 | $2,185 |
| Year 5 | $40,482 | $36,729 | $3,753 |
| Year 10 | $87,412 | $79,307 | $8,105 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Chermside or Kedron cheaper to live in?
Kedron is cheaper to run by car at $6,918 per year versus $7,625 for Chermside, a difference of $707 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Chermside and Kedron?
Annual council rates for a house are $950 in Chermside (Brisbane City Council) and $950 in Kedron (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Chermside and $1,900 in Kedron. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Chermside and Kedron?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,925 from Chermside and $2,318 from Kedron to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Chermside and $192 from Kedron.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Chermside and Kedron?
At 3% annual cost growth, Chermside costs a cumulative $87,412 and Kedron costs $79,307 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $8,105 in favour of Kedron. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Chermside and Kedron 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.