Dutton Park vs Highgate Hill: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/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 $1,322 a year cheaper than Dutton Park, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $15,156.
Over 10 years, Highgate Hill costs about $15,200 less to run than Dutton Park — the same as paying $15,200 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Highgate Hill
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Dutton Park | Highgate Hill | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,579 | $1,579 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $913 | $691 | +$222 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,900 | $1,800 | +$1,100 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $4,800 | $4,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $7,292 | $5,970 | +$1,322 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,571 | $5,471 | +$1,100 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Dutton Park | Highgate Hill | 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 — Dutton Park vs Highgate Hill (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Highgate Hill costs $1,322 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $15,156 in favour of Highgate Hill.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $1,100 per year.
On public transport the gap is $1,100 per year, $6,571 from Dutton Park versus $5,471 from Highgate Hill.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Dutton Park cumulative | Highgate Hill cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,292 | $5,970 | $1,322 |
| Year 3 | $22,539 | $18,453 | $4,086 |
| Year 5 | $38,714 | $31,696 | $7,018 |
| Year 10 | $83,595 | $68,439 | $15,156 |
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?
Highgate Hill is cheaper to run by car at $5,970 per year versus $7,292 for Dutton Park, a difference of $1,322 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Dutton Park and Highgate Hill?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,579 in Dutton Park (Brisbane City Council) and $1,579 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 $913 from Dutton Park and $691 from Highgate Hill to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/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 $83,595 and Highgate Hill costs $68,439 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $15,156 in favour of Highgate Hill. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Dutton Park and Highgate Hill is best to actually live in?
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.
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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.