Ellen Grove vs Forest Lake: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/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 $338 a year cheaper than Ellen Grove, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,875.
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 | $1,579 | $1,579 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,733 | $4,695 | +$38 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,000 | $2,700 | +$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,500 | $2,800 | -$300 |
| Total (driving) | $11,212 | $10,874 | +$338 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,671 | $6,371 | +$300 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Ellen Grove | Forest Lake | 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 — Ellen Grove vs Forest Lake (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Forest Lake costs $338 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,875 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, $6,671 from Ellen Grove versus $6,371 from Forest Lake.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Ellen Grove cumulative | Forest Lake cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,212 | $10,874 | $338 |
| Year 3 | $34,655 | $33,610 | $1,045 |
| Year 5 | $59,526 | $57,732 | $1,794 |
| Year 10 | $128,533 | $124,658 | $3,875 |
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 $10,874 per year versus $11,212 for Ellen Grove, a difference of $338 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/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 $1,579 in Ellen Grove (Brisbane City Council) and $1,579 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 $4,733 from Ellen Grove and $4,695 from Forest Lake to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/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 $128,533 and Forest Lake costs $124,658 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,875 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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.