Cleveland vs Wynnum: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Cleveland (Redland City Council) and Wynnum (Brisbane City Council) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Brisbane CBD (24.9 km and 14.4 km).
Wynnum runs $3,561 a year cheaper than Cleveland, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $40,823.
Over 10 years, Wynnum costs about $40,800 less to run than Cleveland — the same as paying $40,800 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Wynnum
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Cleveland | Wynnum | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,436 | $950 | +$486 |
| Water & sewerage | $2,308 | $1,900 | +$408 |
| Commute (driving) | $5,993 | $4,126 | +$1,867 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,900 | $2,100 | +$800 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,800 | $2,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $12,637 | $9,076 | +$3,561 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,836 | $5,142 | +$1,694 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Cleveland | Wynnum | 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 — Cleveland vs Wynnum (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Wynnum costs $3,561 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $40,823 in favour of Wynnum.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $1,867 per year. Cleveland is 24.9 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $1,694 per year, $6,836 from Cleveland versus $5,142 from Wynnum.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Wynnum by $486 a year, $950 against $1,436.
- Water and sewerage favours Wynnum by $408 a year, $1,900 against $2,308.
- Driving commute favours Wynnum by $1,867 a year, $4,126 against $5,993.
- Building insurance favours Wynnum by $800 a year, $2,100 against $2,900.
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.
Fire risk is rated high in Cleveland against medium in Wynnum, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Cleveland cumulative | Wynnum cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,637 | $9,076 | $3,561 |
| Year 3 | $39,060 | $28,053 | $11,007 |
| Year 5 | $67,092 | $48,186 | $18,906 |
| Year 10 | $144,869 | $104,046 | $40,823 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cleveland or Wynnum cheaper to live in?
Wynnum is cheaper to run by car at $9,076 per year versus $12,637 for Cleveland, a difference of $3,561 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Cleveland and Wynnum?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,436 in Cleveland (Redland City Council) and $950 in Wynnum (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,308 in Cleveland and $1,900 in Wynnum. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Cleveland and Wynnum?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,993 from Cleveland and $4,126 from Wynnum to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Cleveland and $192 from Wynnum.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Cleveland and Wynnum?
At 3% annual cost growth, Cleveland costs a cumulative $144,869 and Wynnum costs $104,046 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $40,823 in favour of Wynnum. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Cleveland and Wynnum 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: Redland 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.