Eagle Farm vs Hamilton: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/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 $713 a year cheaper than Eagle Farm, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $8,174.
Over 10 years, Hamilton costs about $8,200 less to run than Eagle Farm — the same as paying $8,200 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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 | $950 | $950 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,403 | $1,790 | +$613 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,900 | $1,800 | +$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,800 | $3,200 | -$400 |
| Total (driving) | $7,153 | $6,440 | +$713 |
| Total (public transport) | $4,942 | $4,842 | +$100 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Eagle Farm | Hamilton | 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 — Eagle Farm vs Hamilton (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Hamilton costs $713 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $8,174 in favour of Hamilton.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $613 per year. Eagle Farm is 7.6 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, $4,942 and $4,842 a year, so the $713 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 Hamilton by $613 a year, $1,790 against $2,403.
- Building insurance favours Hamilton by $100 a year, $1,800 against $1,900.
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.
Flood risk is rated medium in Eagle Farm against low in Hamilton, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Eagle Farm cumulative | Hamilton cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,153 | $6,440 | $713 |
| Year 3 | $22,109 | $19,905 | $2,204 |
| Year 5 | $37,976 | $34,191 | $3,785 |
| Year 10 | $82,001 | $73,827 | $8,174 |
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 $6,440 per year versus $7,153 for Eagle Farm, a difference of $713 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Eagle Farm and Hamilton?
Annual council rates for a house are $950 in Eagle Farm (Brisbane City Council) and $950 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 $2,403 from Eagle Farm and $1,790 from Hamilton to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/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 $82,001 and Hamilton costs $73,827 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $8,174 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 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.