Doolandella vs Durack, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Doolandella and Durack are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 16.4 km and 13.8 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Durack runs $715 a year cheaper than Doolandella, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $8,196.
Over 10 years, Durack costs about $8,200 less to run than Doolandella. That's about $16 a week.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict → Personalise this comparison with your own commute, home type and loan → Neither quite right? Find the Brisbane suburbs that fit your budget →Doolandella
Durack
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Doolandella | Durack | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $950 | $950 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $4,556 | $3,991 | +$565 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,300 | $2,150 | +$150 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,200 | $2,300 | -$100 |
| Total (driving) | $9,706 | $8,991 | +$715 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,342 | $5,192 | +$150 |
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 | Doolandella | Durack | 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, Doolandella vs Durack (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Durack costs $715 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $8,196 in favour of Durack.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $565 per year. Doolandella is 16.4 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, $5,342 and $5,192 a year, so the $715 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 Durack by $565 a year, $3,991 against $4,556.
- Building insurance favours Durack by $150 a year, $2,150 against $2,300.
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 Doolandella against low in Durack, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Doolandella cumulative | Durack cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,706 | $8,991 | $715 |
| Year 3 | $30,000 | $27,790 | $2,210 |
| Year 5 | $51,530 | $47,734 | $3,796 |
| Year 10 | $111,268 | $103,072 | $8,196 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Doolandella or Durack cheaper to live in?
Durack is cheaper to run by car at $8,991 per year versus $9,706 for Doolandella, a difference of $715 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Doolandella and Durack?
Annual council rates for a house are $950 in Doolandella (Brisbane City Council) and $950 in Durack (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Doolandella and $1,900 in Durack. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Doolandella and Durack?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,556 from Doolandella and $3,991 from Durack to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Doolandella and $192 from Durack.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Doolandella and Durack?
At 3% annual cost growth, Doolandella costs a cumulative $111,268 and Durack costs $103,072 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $8,196 in favour of Durack. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Doolandella and Durack suits you better?
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 insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.