Dutton Park vs Highgate Hill, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Dutton Park and Highgate Hill are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 2.8 km and 2.1 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Highgate Hill runs $1,379 a year cheaper than Dutton Park, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $15,808.
Over 10 years the gap between these two is about $15,800, about $30 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Highgate Hill
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Dutton Park | Highgate Hill | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $950 | $950 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $944 | $715 | +$229 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $3,200 | $2,050 | +$1,150 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $4,800 | $4,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $6,994 | $5,615 | +$1,379 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,242 | $5,092 | +$1,150 |
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 | Dutton Park | Highgate Hill | 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, Dutton Park vs Highgate Hill (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Dutton Park and Highgate Hill differ by $1,379 a year by car, but $1,150 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 $229, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $1,150 per year.
On public transport the gap is $1,150 per year, $6,242 from Dutton Park versus $5,092 from Highgate Hill.
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 Highgate Hill by $229 a year, $715 against $944.
- Building insurance favours Highgate Hill by $1,150 a year, $2,050 against $3,200.
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 Dutton Park against low in Highgate Hill, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Dutton Park cumulative | Highgate Hill cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $6,994 | $5,615 | $1,379 |
| Year 3 | $21,618 | $17,355 | $4,263 |
| Year 5 | $37,132 | $29,811 | $7,321 |
| Year 10 | $80,178 | $64,370 | $15,808 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Dutton Park or Highgate Hill cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Dutton Park runs $6,994 a year by car and Highgate Hill $5,615, but most of the $1,379 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $229. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Dutton Park and Highgate Hill?
Annual council rates for a house are $950 in Dutton Park (Brisbane City Council) and $950 in Highgate Hill (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Dutton Park and $1,900 in Highgate Hill. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Dutton Park and Highgate Hill?
Annual driving commute costs are $944 from Dutton Park and $715 from Highgate Hill to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Dutton Park and $192 from Highgate Hill.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Dutton Park and Highgate Hill?
At 3% annual cost growth, Dutton Park costs a cumulative $80,178 and Highgate Hill costs $64,370 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $15,808 in favour of Highgate Hill. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Dutton Park and Highgate Hill 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.