Collingwood Park vs Redbank: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Collingwood Park and Redbank are both Ipswich City Council suburbs, sitting 23.8 km and 21 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Redbank runs $466 a year cheaper than Collingwood Park, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,342.
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 →Collingwood Park
Redbank
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Collingwood Park | Redbank | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,298 | $1,298 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,650 | $5,234 | +$416 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,950 | $2,900 | +$50 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,200 | $2,200 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,798 | $11,332 | +$466 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,340 | $6,290 | +$50 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Collingwood Park | Redbank | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $1,976 | $1,976 | - |
| Unit | $1,591 | $1,591 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2025 rates (QLD 30c/kWh, NSW 33c/kWh incl. supply charge; unit ≈ 75% of a house). Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Cost breakdown chart
Annual cost breakdown — Collingwood Park vs Redbank (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Redbank costs $466 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,342 in favour of Redbank.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $416 per year. Collingwood Park is 23.8 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $6,340 and $6,290 a year, so the $466 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Collingwood Park cumulative | Redbank cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,798 | $11,332 | $466 |
| Year 3 | $36,466 | $35,026 | $1,440 |
| Year 5 | $62,637 | $60,163 | $2,474 |
| Year 10 | $135,251 | $129,909 | $5,342 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Collingwood Park or Redbank cheaper to live in?
Redbank is cheaper to run by car at $11,332 per year versus $11,798 for Collingwood Park, a difference of $466 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Collingwood Park and Redbank?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,298 in Collingwood Park (Ipswich City Council) and $1,298 in Redbank (Ipswich City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Collingwood Park and $1,900 in Redbank. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Collingwood Park and Redbank?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,650 from Collingwood Park and $5,234 from Redbank to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Collingwood Park and $192 from Redbank.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Collingwood Park and Redbank?
At 3% annual cost growth, Collingwood Park costs a cumulative $135,251 and Redbank costs $129,909 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,342 in favour of Redbank. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Collingwood Park and Redbank 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: Ipswich City Council and Ipswich City Council rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.