Chermside vs Nundah: 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 Nundah are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 9.5 km and 8.3 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Nundah runs $375 a year cheaper than Chermside, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,299.
Over 10 years these two cost about the same to run. The difference here isn't money — it's location, schools and lifestyle.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Chermside
Nundah
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Chermside | Nundah | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $950 | $950 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,925 | $2,600 | +$325 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,850 | $1,800 | +$50 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $3,000 | $3,000 | - |
| Total (driving) | $7,625 | $7,250 | +$375 |
| Total (public transport) | $4,892 | $4,842 | +$50 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Chermside | Nundah | 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 Nundah (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Nundah costs $375 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,299 in favour of Nundah.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $325 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 $4,842 a year, so the $375 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 Nundah by $325 a year, $2,600 against $2,925.
- Building insurance favours Nundah by $50 a year, $1,800 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.
The catchment state school scores 8.4 in Nundah against 5.6 in Chermside, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Chermside cumulative | Nundah cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,625 | $7,250 | $375 |
| Year 3 | $23,568 | $22,409 | $1,159 |
| Year 5 | $40,482 | $38,491 | $1,991 |
| Year 10 | $87,412 | $83,113 | $4,299 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Chermside or Nundah cheaper to live in?
Nundah is cheaper to run by car at $7,250 per year versus $7,625 for Chermside, a difference of $375 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Chermside and Nundah?
Annual council rates for a house are $950 in Chermside (Brisbane City Council) and $950 in Nundah (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Chermside and $1,900 in Nundah. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Chermside and Nundah?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,925 from Chermside and $2,600 from Nundah to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Chermside and $192 from Nundah.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Chermside and Nundah?
At 3% annual cost growth, Chermside costs a cumulative $87,412 and Nundah costs $83,113 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,299 in favour of Nundah. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Chermside and Nundah 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.
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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 AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.