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.
The two sit within $213 a year of each other to run, so running cost is a minor factor here. The decision comes down to schools, risk and lifestyle, all in the free report.
Over 10 years the gap between these two is about $2,400, about $5 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Hamilton
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Eagle Farm | Hamilton | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $950 | $950 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,403 | $1,790 | +$613 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,700 | $2,100 | -$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,800 | $3,200 | -$400 |
| Total (driving) | $6,953 | $6,740 | +$213 |
| Total (public transport) | $4,742 | $5,142 | -$400 |
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 | 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
Eagle Farm and Hamilton differ by $213 a year by car, but $400 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 $613, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
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 gap is $400 per year, $4,742 from Eagle Farm versus $5,142 from Hamilton.
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 Eagle Farm by $400 a year, $1,700 against $2,100.
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 | $6,953 | $6,740 | $213 |
| Year 3 | $21,491 | $20,833 | $658 |
| Year 5 | $36,914 | $35,784 | $1,130 |
| Year 10 | $79,708 | $77,267 | $2,441 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Eagle Farm or Hamilton cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Eagle Farm runs $6,953 a year by car and Hamilton $6,740, but most of the $213 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $613. 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 $79,708 and Hamilton costs $77,267 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,441 in favour of Hamilton. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Eagle Farm and Hamilton 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.