Chermside vs Southport, 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 Southport (City of Gold Coast) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas.
Southport runs $1,649 a year cheaper than Chermside, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $18,904.
Over 10 years, Southport costs about $18,900 less to run than Chermside. That's about $36 a week.
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Southport
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Chermside | Southport | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $950 | $1,359 | -$409 |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,900 | $2,169 | -$269 |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,925 | $548 | +$2,377 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,150 | $2,200 | -$50 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $3,000 | $5,500 | -$2,500 |
| Total (driving) | $7,925 | $6,276 | +$1,649 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,192 | $5,920 | -$728 |
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 | Southport | 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 Southport (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Southport costs $1,649 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $18,904 in favour of Southport.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $2,377 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 gap is $728 per year, $5,192 from Chermside versus $5,920 from Southport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Chermside by $409 a year, $950 against $1,359.
- Water and sewerage favours Chermside by $269 a year, $1,900 against $2,169.
- Driving commute favours Southport by $2,377 a year, $548 against $2,925.
- Building insurance favours Chermside by $50 a year, $2,150 against $2,200.
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 Southport, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated high in Southport against low in Chermside, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Chermside cumulative | Southport cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,925 | $6,276 | $1,649 |
| Year 3 | $24,495 | $19,398 | $5,097 |
| Year 5 | $42,075 | $33,320 | $8,755 |
| Year 10 | $90,851 | $71,947 | $18,904 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Chermside or Southport cheaper to live in?
Southport is cheaper to run by car at $6,276 per year versus $7,925 for Chermside, a difference of $1,649 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Chermside and Southport?
Annual council rates for a house are $950 in Chermside (Brisbane City Council) and $1,359 in Southport (City of Gold Coast). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Chermside and $2,169 in Southport. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Chermside and Southport?
Chermside is $2,925 a year to drive to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Southport is $548 a year to drive to Gold Coast CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Chermside and $192 from Southport.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Chermside and Southport?
At 3% annual cost growth, Chermside costs a cumulative $90,851 and Southport costs $71,947 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $18,904 in favour of Southport. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Chermside and Southport suits you better?
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Sources: Brisbane City Council and City of Gold Coast 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.