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Coopers Plains vs Rocklea

Annual running cost comparison for Brisbane home buyers · 2025–26 data

Data updated July 2025 · Council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance

Quick verdict: Coopers Plains costs $3,424 less per year than Rocklea, or $285 per month. Held over ten years at current rates, that gap reaches roughly $34,240. Coopers Plains has lower combined flood and fire risk.

Annual running cost breakdown

Cost component Coopers Plains Rocklea
Council rates $1,519 $1,519
Water & sewerage $1,824 $1,824
Annual commute (driving) $912 $786
Home insurance (estimated) $1,950 $5,500
Total annual cost $6,205 $9,629
Distance to CBD 10.8 km 9.3 km

Teal = lower cost. Council rates from Brisbane City Council 2025-26 and Brisbane City Council 2025-26. Commute uses ATO 88c/km over ABS annual kilometres by location class. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary.

Cost breakdown detail

Both suburbs fall under Brisbane City Council 2025-26, paying the same general rate of $1,519 per year.

Driving commute costs are similar: $912 per year from Coopers Plains and $786 from Rocklea to Brisbane CBD.

Schools and risk profile

Factor Coopers Plains Rocklea
School score (ICSEA) 3.4/10 3.0/10
Nearest state primary Coopers Plains State School Rocklea State School
Nearest private school St Pius X School St Brendan's Primary School
Flood risk Low High
Fire risk Medium High

Coopers Plains has the stronger school profile at 3.4/10 versus 3.0/10 for Rocklea (ICSEA scale, higher = better). Nearest state primaries: Coopers Plains State School (Coopers Plains) and Rocklea State School (Rocklea).

Coopers Plains carries low flood risk and medium fire risk. Rocklea has high flood risk and high fire risk. Source: Queensland Globe and QFES mapping.

Who each suburb suits

Choose Coopers Plains if you
  • Buyers watching costs: Coopers Plains saves $3,424 per year
  • Families prioritising school scores: 3.4/10
  • Buyers who want lower flood and fire risk
Choose Rocklea if you
  • City commuters: 9.3 km to CBD vs 10.8 km

Frequently asked questions

  1. Which is cheaper to live in, Coopers Plains or Rocklea?

    Coopers Plains is cheaper by $3,424 per year, or $285 per month. That covers council rates ($1,519 vs $1,519), water ($1,824 vs $1,824), commute, and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2025–26 data.

  2. How far is Coopers Plains from Brisbane CBD compared to Rocklea?

    Coopers Plains is 10.8 km from Brisbane CBD. Rocklea is 9.3 km from Brisbane CBD. Annual driving commute costs are $912 and $786 respectively, using the ATO 88 cents per kilometre rate over standard working days.

  3. Which suburb has better schools, Coopers Plains or Rocklea?

    Coopers Plains rates higher on ICSEA school quality data at 3.4/10 versus 3.0/10 for Rocklea. The nearest state primary in Coopers Plains is Coopers Plains State School; in Rocklea it is Rocklea State School. Source: ACARA ICSEA 2025.

  4. What are the flood and fire risks in Coopers Plains versus Rocklea?

    Coopers Plains has low flood risk and medium fire risk. Rocklea has high flood risk and high fire risk. Source: Queensland Globe flood mapping and QFES bushfire prone land data.

  5. What are council rates in Coopers Plains compared to Rocklea?

    Annual council rates for a house in Coopers Plains are $1,519 (Brisbane City Council 2025-26). In Rocklea the rate is $1,519 (Brisbane City Council 2025-26). Water and sewerage charges add $1,824 in Coopers Plains and $1,824 in Rocklea per year.

  6. Is Coopers Plains or Rocklea better for families?

    Coopers Plains scores 3.4/10 on schools and has lower flood and fire risk. For families running both checks, it wins on both counts.

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