Chermside vs North Lakes, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Chermside (Brisbane City Council) and North Lakes (Moreton Bay Regional Council) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Brisbane CBD (9.5 km and 27.6 km).
Chermside runs $3,295 a year cheaper than North Lakes, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $37,774.
Over 10 years, Chermside costs about $37,800 less to run than North Lakes. That's about $73 a week.
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North Lakes
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Chermside | North Lakes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $950 | $1,309 | -$359 |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,900 | $2,144 | -$244 |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,925 | $6,317 | -$3,392 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,150 | $1,450 | +$700 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $3,000 | $2,800 | +$200 |
| Total (driving) | $7,925 | $11,220 | -$3,295 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,192 | $5,095 | +$97 |
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 | Chermside | North Lakes | 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 North Lakes (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Chermside costs $3,295 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $37,774 in favour of Chermside.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $3,392 per year. North Lakes is 27.6 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, $5,192 and $5,095 a year, so the $3,295 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Chermside by $359 a year, $950 against $1,309.
- Water and sewerage favours Chermside by $244 a year, $1,900 against $2,144.
- Driving commute favours Chermside by $3,392 a year, $2,925 against $6,317.
- Building insurance favours North Lakes by $700 a year, $1,450 against $2,150.
They sit in different council areas, so the rates line is set by two different councils. For QLD that figure is the minimum residential general rate for an owner-occupied principal place of residence, a floor rather than a typical bill.
Flood risk is rated medium in Chermside against low in North Lakes, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated medium in North Lakes against low in Chermside, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Chermside cumulative | North Lakes cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,925 | $11,220 | $3,295 |
| Year 3 | $24,495 | $34,680 | $10,185 |
| Year 5 | $42,075 | $59,569 | $17,494 |
| Year 10 | $90,851 | $128,625 | $37,774 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Chermside or North Lakes cheaper to live in?
Chermside is cheaper to run by car at $7,925 per year versus $11,220 for North Lakes, a difference of $3,295 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Chermside and North Lakes?
Annual council rates for a house are $950 in Chermside (Brisbane City Council) and $1,309 in North Lakes (Moreton Bay Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Chermside and $2,144 in North Lakes. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Chermside and North Lakes?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,925 from Chermside and $6,317 from North Lakes to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Chermside and $192 from North Lakes.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Chermside and North Lakes?
At 3% annual cost growth, Chermside costs a cumulative $90,851 and North Lakes costs $128,625 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $37,774 in favour of Chermside. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Chermside and North Lakes suits you better?
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Sources: Brisbane City Council and Moreton Bay Regional 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.