Eight Mile Plains vs Macgregor, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Eight Mile Plains and Macgregor are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 13.9 km and 11.6 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Macgregor runs $598 a year cheaper than Eight Mile Plains, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,856.
Over 10 years, Macgregor costs about $6,900 less to run than Eight Mile Plains. That's about $13 a week.
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Macgregor
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Eight Mile Plains | Macgregor | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $950 | $950 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $4,013 | $3,465 | +$548 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,600 | $1,550 | +$50 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,800 | $2,600 | +$200 |
| Total (driving) | $8,463 | $7,865 | +$598 |
| Total (public transport) | $4,642 | $4,592 | +$50 |
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 | Eight Mile Plains | Macgregor | 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, Eight Mile Plains vs Macgregor (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Macgregor costs $598 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $6,856 in favour of Macgregor.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $548 per year. Eight Mile Plains is 13.9 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, $4,642 and $4,592 a year, so the $598 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 Macgregor by $548 a year, $3,465 against $4,013.
- Building insurance favours Macgregor by $50 a year, $1,550 against $1,600.
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 Eight Mile Plains against low in Macgregor, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Eight Mile Plains cumulative | Macgregor cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,463 | $7,865 | $598 |
| Year 3 | $26,158 | $24,310 | $1,848 |
| Year 5 | $44,931 | $41,756 | $3,175 |
| Year 10 | $97,019 | $90,163 | $6,856 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Eight Mile Plains or Macgregor cheaper to live in?
Macgregor is cheaper to run by car at $7,865 per year versus $8,463 for Eight Mile Plains, a difference of $598 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Eight Mile Plains and Macgregor?
Annual council rates for a house are $950 in Eight Mile Plains (Brisbane City Council) and $950 in Macgregor (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Eight Mile Plains and $1,900 in Macgregor. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Eight Mile Plains and Macgregor?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,013 from Eight Mile Plains and $3,465 from Macgregor to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Eight Mile Plains and $192 from Macgregor.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Eight Mile Plains and Macgregor?
At 3% annual cost growth, Eight Mile Plains costs a cumulative $97,019 and Macgregor costs $90,163 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,856 in favour of Macgregor. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Eight Mile Plains and Macgregor 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.