Coopers Plains vs Robertson: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Coopers Plains and Robertson are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 10.8 km and 11.1 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $25 a year of each other to run, so running cost is a minor factor here. The decision comes down to schools, risk and lifestyle, all in the free report.
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 →Coopers Plains
Robertson
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Coopers Plains | Robertson | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $950 | $950 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,265 | $3,340 | -$75 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,950 | $1,900 | +$50 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,800 | $2,400 | +$400 |
| Total (driving) | $8,065 | $8,090 | -$25 |
| Total (public transport) | $4,992 | $4,942 | +$50 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Coopers Plains | Robertson | 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 — Coopers Plains vs Robertson (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Coopers Plains and Robertson cost within $25 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $287, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $75 per year. Robertson is 11.1 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, $4,992 and $4,942 a year, so the $25 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 Coopers Plains by $75 a year, $3,265 against $3,340.
- Building insurance favours Robertson by $50 a year, $1,900 against $1,950.
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.
Flood risk is rated medium in Coopers Plains against low in Robertson, which feeds the insurance estimate. The catchment state school scores 9.2 in Robertson against 5.3 in Coopers Plains, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Coopers Plains cumulative | Robertson cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,065 | $8,090 | $25 |
| Year 3 | $24,928 | $25,005 | $77 |
| Year 5 | $42,818 | $42,951 | $133 |
| Year 10 | $92,456 | $92,743 | $287 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Coopers Plains or Robertson cheaper to live in?
Coopers Plains is cheaper to run by car at $8,065 per year versus $8,090 for Robertson, a difference of $25 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Coopers Plains and Robertson?
Annual council rates for a house are $950 in Coopers Plains (Brisbane City Council) and $950 in Robertson (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Coopers Plains and $1,900 in Robertson. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Coopers Plains and Robertson?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,265 from Coopers Plains and $3,340 from Robertson to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Coopers Plains and $192 from Robertson.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Coopers Plains and Robertson?
At 3% annual cost growth, Coopers Plains costs a cumulative $92,456 and Robertson costs $92,743 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $287 in favour of Coopers Plains. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Coopers Plains and Robertson 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: 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.