Doolandella vs Durack: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/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 $747 a year cheaper than Doolandella, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $8,563.
Over 10 years, Durack costs about $8,600 less to run than Doolandella — the same as paying $8,600 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Durack
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Doolandella | Durack | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,579 | $1,579 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,406 | $3,859 | +$547 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,200 | $3,000 | +$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,200 | $2,300 | -$100 |
| Total (driving) | $11,085 | $10,338 | +$747 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,871 | $6,671 | +$200 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Doolandella | Durack | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $1,976 | $1,976 | - |
| Unit | $1,591 | $1,591 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2025 rates (QLD 30c/kWh, NSW 33c/kWh incl. supply charge; 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 $747 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $8,563 in favour of Durack.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $547 per year. Doolandella is 16.4 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the gap is $200 per year, $6,871 from Doolandella versus $6,671 from Durack.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Doolandella cumulative | Durack cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,085 | $10,338 | $747 |
| Year 3 | $34,263 | $31,954 | $2,309 |
| Year 5 | $58,852 | $54,886 | $3,966 |
| Year 10 | $127,077 | $118,514 | $8,563 |
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 $10,338 per year versus $11,085 for Doolandella, a difference of $747 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Doolandella and Durack?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,579 in Doolandella (Brisbane City Council) and $1,579 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 $4,406 from Doolandella and $3,859 from Durack to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/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 $127,077 and Durack costs $118,514 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $8,563 in favour of Durack. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Doolandella and Durack is best to actually live in?
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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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.