Eagle Farm vs Hamilton: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Eagle Farm and Hamilton are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 7.6 km and 5.5 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Hamilton runs $693 a year cheaper than Eagle Farm, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $7,944.
Over 10 years these two cost about the same to run. The difference here isn't money — it's location, schools and lifestyle.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Eagle Farm
Hamilton
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Eagle Farm | Hamilton | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,579 | $1,579 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,324 | $1,731 | +$593 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,900 | $1,800 | +$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,800 | $3,200 | -$400 |
| Total (driving) | $7,703 | $7,010 | +$693 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,571 | $5,471 | +$100 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Eagle Farm | Hamilton | 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 — Eagle Farm vs Hamilton (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Hamilton costs $693 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $7,944 in favour of Hamilton.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $593 per year. Eagle Farm is 7.6 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $5,571 and $5,471 a year, so the $693 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Eagle Farm cumulative | Hamilton cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,703 | $7,010 | $693 |
| Year 3 | $23,809 | $21,667 | $2,142 |
| Year 5 | $40,896 | $37,217 | $3,679 |
| Year 10 | $88,306 | $80,362 | $7,944 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Eagle Farm or Hamilton cheaper to live in?
Hamilton is cheaper to run by car at $7,010 per year versus $7,703 for Eagle Farm, a difference of $693 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Eagle Farm and Hamilton?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,579 in Eagle Farm (Brisbane City Council) and $1,579 in Hamilton (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Eagle Farm and $1,900 in Hamilton. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Eagle Farm and Hamilton?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,324 from Eagle Farm and $1,731 from Hamilton to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Eagle Farm and $192 from Hamilton.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Eagle Farm and Hamilton?
At 3% annual cost growth, Eagle Farm costs a cumulative $88,306 and Hamilton costs $80,362 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $7,944 in favour of Hamilton. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Eagle Farm and Hamilton 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.
Related comparisons
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.