Eastern Heights vs Raceview: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Eastern Heights and Raceview are both Ipswich City Council suburbs, sitting 30.2 km and 30.8 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Eastern Heights runs $498 a year cheaper than Raceview, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,709.
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 →Eastern Heights
Raceview
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Eastern Heights | Raceview | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,298 | $1,298 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,353 | $6,401 | -$48 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,750 | $2,200 | -$450 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $2,000 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $11,301 | $11,799 | -$498 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,140 | $5,590 | -$450 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Eastern Heights | Raceview | 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 — Eastern Heights vs Raceview (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Eastern Heights costs $498 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,709 in favour of Eastern Heights.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $450 per year.
On public transport the gap is $450 per year, $5,140 from Eastern Heights versus $5,590 from Raceview.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Eastern Heights cumulative | Raceview cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,301 | $11,799 | $498 |
| Year 3 | $34,930 | $36,470 | $1,540 |
| Year 5 | $59,999 | $62,642 | $2,643 |
| Year 10 | $129,553 | $135,262 | $5,709 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Eastern Heights or Raceview cheaper to live in?
Eastern Heights is cheaper to run by car at $11,301 per year versus $11,799 for Raceview, a difference of $498 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Eastern Heights and Raceview?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,298 in Eastern Heights (Ipswich City Council) and $1,298 in Raceview (Ipswich City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Eastern Heights and $1,900 in Raceview. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Eastern Heights and Raceview?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,353 from Eastern Heights and $6,401 from Raceview to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Eastern Heights and $192 from Raceview.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Eastern Heights and Raceview?
At 3% annual cost growth, Eastern Heights costs a cumulative $129,553 and Raceview costs $135,262 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,709 in favour of Eastern Heights. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Eastern Heights and Raceview 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: Ipswich City Council and Ipswich 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.