Doolandella vs Heathwood, 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 Heathwood are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 16.4 km and 19.2 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Doolandella runs $493 a year cheaper than Heathwood, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,652.
Over 10 years, Doolandella costs about $5,700 less to run than Heathwood. That's about $11 a week.
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Heathwood
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Doolandella | Heathwood | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $950 | $950 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $4,556 | $5,099 | -$543 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,300 | $2,250 | +$50 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,200 | $2,200 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,706 | $10,199 | -$493 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,342 | $5,292 | +$50 |
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 | Heathwood | 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 Heathwood (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Doolandella costs $493 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,652 in favour of Doolandella.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $543 per year. Heathwood is 19.2 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 $5,292 a year, so the $493 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 Doolandella by $543 a year, $4,556 against $5,099.
- Building insurance favours Heathwood by $50 a year, $2,250 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.
The catchment state school scores 7.5 in Heathwood against 4 in Doolandella, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Doolandella cumulative | Heathwood cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,706 | $10,199 | $493 |
| Year 3 | $30,000 | $31,524 | $1,524 |
| Year 5 | $51,530 | $54,148 | $2,618 |
| Year 10 | $111,268 | $116,920 | $5,652 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Doolandella or Heathwood cheaper to live in?
Doolandella is cheaper to run by car at $9,706 per year versus $10,199 for Heathwood, a difference of $493 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Doolandella and Heathwood?
Annual council rates for a house are $950 in Doolandella (Brisbane City Council) and $950 in Heathwood (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Doolandella and $1,900 in Heathwood. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Doolandella and Heathwood?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,556 from Doolandella and $5,099 from Heathwood to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Doolandella and $192 from Heathwood.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Doolandella and Heathwood?
At 3% annual cost growth, Doolandella costs a cumulative $111,268 and Heathwood costs $116,920 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,652 in favour of Doolandella. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Doolandella and Heathwood 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.