Collingwood Park vs Redbank Plains: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Collingwood Park and Redbank Plains are both Ipswich City Council suburbs, sitting 23.8 km and 26.5 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Collingwood Park runs $300 a year cheaper than Redbank Plains, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,440.
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 Plains
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Collingwood Park | Redbank Plains | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,298 | $1,298 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,843 | $6,193 | -$350 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,950 | $2,900 | +$50 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,200 | $2,000 | +$200 |
| Total (driving) | $11,991 | $12,291 | -$300 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,340 | $6,290 | +$50 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Collingwood Park | Redbank Plains | 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 — Collingwood Park vs Redbank Plains (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Collingwood Park costs $300 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,440 in favour of Collingwood Park.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $350 per year. Redbank Plains is 26.5 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, $6,340 and $6,290 a year, so the $300 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,298 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,900 a year.
- Driving commute favours Collingwood Park by $350 a year, $5,843 against $6,193.
- Building insurance favours Redbank Plains by $50 a year, $2,900 against $2,950.
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 5.5 in Collingwood Park against 4 in Redbank Plains, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Collingwood Park cumulative | Redbank Plains cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,991 | $12,291 | $300 |
| Year 3 | $37,063 | $37,990 | $927 |
| Year 5 | $63,662 | $65,255 | $1,593 |
| Year 10 | $137,463 | $140,903 | $3,440 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Collingwood Park or Redbank Plains cheaper to live in?
Collingwood Park is cheaper to run by car at $11,991 per year versus $12,291 for Redbank Plains, a difference of $300 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Collingwood Park and Redbank Plains?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,298 in Collingwood Park (Ipswich City Council) and $1,298 in Redbank Plains (Ipswich City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Collingwood Park and $1,900 in Redbank Plains. 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 Plains?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,843 from Collingwood Park and $6,193 from Redbank Plains to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Collingwood Park and $192 from Redbank Plains.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Collingwood Park and Redbank Plains?
At 3% annual cost growth, Collingwood Park costs a cumulative $137,463 and Redbank Plains costs $140,903 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,440 in favour of Collingwood Park. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Collingwood Park and Redbank Plains 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.
Related comparisons
Sources: Ipswich City Council and Ipswich 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.