Ellen Grove vs Forest Lake: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Ellen Grove and Forest Lake are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 18.1 km and 17.9 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Forest Lake runs $339 a year cheaper than Ellen Grove, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,886.
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 →Ellen Grove
Forest Lake
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Ellen Grove | Forest Lake | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $950 | $950 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,894 | $4,855 | +$39 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,000 | $2,700 | +$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,500 | $2,800 | -$300 |
| Total (driving) | $10,744 | $10,405 | +$339 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,042 | $5,742 | +$300 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Ellen Grove | Forest Lake | 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 — Ellen Grove vs Forest Lake (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Forest Lake costs $339 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,886 in favour of Forest Lake.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $300 per year.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $6,042 from Ellen Grove versus $5,742 from Forest Lake.
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 Forest Lake by $39 a year, $4,855 against $4,894.
- Building insurance favours Forest Lake by $300 a year, $2,700 against $3,000.
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.
The catchment state school scores 6.8 in Forest Lake against 3.6 in Ellen Grove, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Ellen Grove cumulative | Forest Lake cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,744 | $10,405 | $339 |
| Year 3 | $33,209 | $32,161 | $1,048 |
| Year 5 | $57,041 | $55,242 | $1,799 |
| Year 10 | $123,168 | $119,282 | $3,886 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ellen Grove or Forest Lake cheaper to live in?
Forest Lake is cheaper to run by car at $10,405 per year versus $10,744 for Ellen Grove, a difference of $339 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Ellen Grove and Forest Lake?
Annual council rates for a house are $950 in Ellen Grove (Brisbane City Council) and $950 in Forest Lake (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Ellen Grove and $1,900 in Forest Lake. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Ellen Grove and Forest Lake?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,894 from Ellen Grove and $4,855 from Forest Lake to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Ellen Grove and $192 from Forest Lake.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Ellen Grove and Forest Lake?
At 3% annual cost growth, Ellen Grove costs a cumulative $123,168 and Forest Lake costs $119,282 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,886 in favour of Forest Lake. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Ellen Grove and Forest Lake 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.