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 $1,329 a year cheaper than Dutton Park, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $15,235.
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 | $950 | $950 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $944 | $715 | +$229 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,900 | $1,800 | +$1,100 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $4,800 | $4,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $6,694 | $5,365 | +$1,329 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,942 | $4,842 | +$1,100 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; 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
Highgate Hill costs $1,329 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $15,235 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, $5,942 from Dutton Park versus $4,842 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 $1,100 a year, $1,800 against $2,900.
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 | $6,694 | $5,365 | $1,329 |
| Year 3 | $20,690 | $16,583 | $4,107 |
| Year 5 | $35,539 | $28,484 | $7,055 |
| Year 10 | $76,739 | $61,504 | $15,235 |
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 $5,365 per year versus $6,694 for Dutton Park, a difference of $1,329 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/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 $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 $76,739 and Highgate Hill costs $61,504 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $15,235 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 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.