Crestmead vs Park Ridge: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Crestmead and Park Ridge are both Logan City Council suburbs, sitting 25 km and 26.5 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Crestmead runs $1,337 a year cheaper than Park Ridge, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $15,327.
Over 10 years, Crestmead costs about $15,300 less to run than Park Ridge — the same as paying $15,300 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Crestmead
Park Ridge
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Crestmead | Park Ridge | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,699 | $1,699 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,149 | $2,149 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,006 | $6,193 | -$187 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,850 | $3,000 | -$1,150 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,600 | $2,200 | +$400 |
| Total (driving) | $11,704 | $13,041 | -$1,337 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,890 | $7,040 | -$1,150 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Crestmead | Park Ridge | 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 — Crestmead vs Park Ridge (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Crestmead costs $1,337 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $15,327 in favour of Crestmead.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $1,150 per year.
On public transport the gap is $1,150 per year, $5,890 from Crestmead versus $7,040 from Park Ridge.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,699 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $2,149 a year.
- Driving commute favours Crestmead by $187 a year, $6,006 against $6,193.
- Building insurance favours Crestmead by $1,150 a year, $1,850 against $3,000.
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.
Fire risk is rated high in Park Ridge against medium in Crestmead, which feeds the insurance estimate. The catchment state school scores 5.8 in Park Ridge against 4.1 in Crestmead, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Crestmead cumulative | Park Ridge cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,704 | $13,041 | $1,337 |
| Year 3 | $36,176 | $40,308 | $4,132 |
| Year 5 | $62,138 | $69,236 | $7,098 |
| Year 10 | $134,173 | $149,500 | $15,327 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Crestmead or Park Ridge cheaper to live in?
Crestmead is cheaper to run by car at $11,704 per year versus $13,041 for Park Ridge, a difference of $1,337 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Crestmead and Park Ridge?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,699 in Crestmead (Logan City Council) and $1,699 in Park Ridge (Logan City Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,149 in Crestmead and $2,149 in Park Ridge. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Crestmead and Park Ridge?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,006 from Crestmead and $6,193 from Park Ridge to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Crestmead and $192 from Park Ridge.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Crestmead and Park Ridge?
At 3% annual cost growth, Crestmead costs a cumulative $134,173 and Park Ridge costs $149,500 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $15,327 in favour of Crestmead. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Crestmead and Park Ridge 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: Logan City Council and Logan 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.