East Brisbane vs Kangaroo Point, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
East Brisbane and Kangaroo Point are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 2.6 km and 1.4 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Kangaroo Point runs $365 a year cheaper than East Brisbane, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,184.
Over 10 years, Kangaroo Point costs about $4,200 less to run than East Brisbane. That's about $8 a week.
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Kangaroo Point
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | East Brisbane | Kangaroo Point | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $950 | $950 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $879 | $514 | +$365 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,150 | $2,150 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $5,000 | $5,500 | -$500 |
| Total (driving) | $5,879 | $5,514 | +$365 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,192 | $5,192 | - |
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 | East Brisbane | Kangaroo Point | 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, East Brisbane vs Kangaroo Point (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Kangaroo Point costs $365 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,184 in favour of Kangaroo Point.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $365 per year. East Brisbane is 2.6 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, $5,192 and $5,192 a year, so the $365 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 Kangaroo Point by $365 a year, $514 against $879.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,150 a year.
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.
Flood risk is rated high in East Brisbane against low in Kangaroo Point, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | East Brisbane cumulative | Kangaroo Point cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $5,879 | $5,514 | $365 |
| Year 3 | $18,171 | $17,043 | $1,128 |
| Year 5 | $31,212 | $29,275 | $1,937 |
| Year 10 | $67,396 | $63,212 | $4,184 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is East Brisbane or Kangaroo Point cheaper to live in?
Kangaroo Point is cheaper to run by car at $5,514 per year versus $5,879 for East Brisbane, a difference of $365 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in East Brisbane and Kangaroo Point?
Annual council rates for a house are $950 in East Brisbane (Brisbane City Council) and $950 in Kangaroo Point (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in East Brisbane and $1,900 in Kangaroo Point. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between East Brisbane and Kangaroo Point?
Annual driving commute costs are $879 from East Brisbane and $514 from Kangaroo Point to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from East Brisbane and $192 from Kangaroo Point.
What is the 10-year cost difference between East Brisbane and Kangaroo Point?
At 3% annual cost growth, East Brisbane costs a cumulative $67,396 and Kangaroo Point costs $63,212 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,184 in favour of Kangaroo Point. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of East Brisbane and Kangaroo Point 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.