Chermside vs Kedron: true annual running costs compared (2026)
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.
Chermside
Kedron
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Chermside | Kedron | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,519 | $1,519 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,824 | $1,824 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $803 | $617 | +$186 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,850 | $1,750 | +$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $3,000 | $2,800 | +$200 |
| Total (driving) | $5,996 | $5,710 | +$286 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,385 | $5,285 | +$100 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary.
Cost breakdown chart
Annual cost breakdown — Chermside vs Kedron (2025-26)
What the numbers show
Chermside and Kedron cost within $286 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $3,278, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $186 per year. Chermside is 9.5 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
Public transport equalises the comparison: both suburbs pay a flat $192 annual PT fare, so the $286 driving gap narrows to $100 under PT. If you rely on public transport, the two suburbs cost almost the same to run annually.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Chermside cumulative | Kedron cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $5,996 | $5,710 | $286 |
| Year 3 | $18,533 | $17,649 | $884 |
| Year 5 | $31,834 | $30,315 | $1,519 |
| Year 10 | $68,737 | $65,459 | $3,278 |
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 $5,710 per year versus $5,996 for Chermside — a difference of $286 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2025-26 data.
What are council rates in Chermside and Kedron?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,519 in Chermside (Brisbane City Council 2025-26) and $1,519 in Kedron (Brisbane City Council 2025-26). Water and sewerage adds $1,824 in Chermside and $1,824 in Kedron.
How does the commute cost compare between Chermside and Kedron?
Annual driving commute costs are $803 from Chermside and $617 from Kedron to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km, 220 working days). 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 $68,737 and Kedron costs $65,459 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,278 in favour of Kedron. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Compare Chermside and Kedron in the tool
The SuburbCost comparison tool shows the full annual cost breakdown for both suburbs side by side. Toggle between driving and public transport to see which suburb comes out ahead for your commuting pattern.
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Sources: Brisbane City Council and Brisbane City Council rate schedules 2025-26, Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater 2025-26, ATO 88c/km, SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2025.