Deagon vs Sandgate, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Deagon and Sandgate are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 16.2 km and 17.4 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Deagon runs $793 a year cheaper than Sandgate, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $9,091.
Over 10 years the gap between these two is about $9,100, about $17 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Sandgate
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Deagon | Sandgate | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $950 | $950 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $4,515 | $4,758 | -$243 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,500 | $2,050 | -$550 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,600 | $2,700 | -$100 |
| Total (driving) | $8,865 | $9,658 | -$793 |
| Total (public transport) | $4,542 | $5,092 | -$550 |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Deagon | Sandgate | 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, Deagon vs Sandgate (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Deagon and Sandgate differ by $793 a year by car, but $550 of that is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On the sourced costs, council rates, water and the commute, the gap is $243, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $550 per year.
On public transport the gap is $550 per year, $4,542 from Deagon versus $5,092 from Sandgate.
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 Deagon by $243 a year, $4,515 against $4,758.
- Building insurance favours Deagon by $550 a year, $1,500 against $2,050.
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 high in Deagon against low in Sandgate, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated high in Sandgate against medium in Deagon, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Deagon cumulative | Sandgate cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,865 | $9,658 | $793 |
| Year 3 | $27,401 | $29,852 | $2,451 |
| Year 5 | $47,065 | $51,276 | $4,211 |
| Year 10 | $101,627 | $110,718 | $9,091 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Deagon or Sandgate cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Deagon runs $8,865 a year by car and Sandgate $9,658, but most of the $793 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $243. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Deagon and Sandgate?
Annual council rates for a house are $950 in Deagon (Brisbane City Council) and $950 in Sandgate (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Deagon and $1,900 in Sandgate. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Deagon and Sandgate?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,515 from Deagon and $4,758 from Sandgate to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Deagon and $192 from Sandgate.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Deagon and Sandgate?
At 3% annual cost growth, Deagon costs a cumulative $101,627 and Sandgate costs $110,718 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $9,091 in favour of Deagon. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Deagon and Sandgate suits you better?
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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 insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.