Ellen Grove vs Gailes, 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 (Brisbane City Council) and Gailes (Ipswich City Council) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Brisbane CBD (18.1 km and 19.2 km).
Ellen Grove runs $703 a year cheaper than Gailes, driven mostly by council rates. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $8,059.
Over 10 years, Ellen Grove costs about $8,100 less to run than Gailes. That's about $15 a week.
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Gailes
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Ellen Grove | Gailes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $950 | $1,298 | -$348 |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $4,894 | $5,099 | -$205 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,150 | $2,300 | -$150 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,500 | $2,000 | +$500 |
| Total (driving) | $9,894 | $10,597 | -$703 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,192 | $5,690 | -$498 |
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 | Ellen Grove | Gailes | 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 Gailes (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Ellen Grove costs $703 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $8,059 in favour of Ellen Grove.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $348 per year.
On public transport the gap is $498 per year, $5,192 from Ellen Grove versus $5,690 from Gailes.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Ellen Grove by $348 a year, $950 against $1,298.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,900 a year.
- Driving commute favours Ellen Grove by $205 a year, $4,894 against $5,099.
- Building insurance favours Ellen Grove by $150 a year, $2,150 against $2,300.
They sit in different council areas, so the rates line is set by two different councils. For QLD that figure is the minimum residential general rate for an owner-occupied principal place of residence, a floor rather than a typical bill.
The catchment state school scores 5.6 in Gailes against 3.6 in Ellen Grove, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Ellen Grove cumulative | Gailes cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,894 | $10,597 | $703 |
| Year 3 | $30,581 | $32,754 | $2,173 |
| Year 5 | $52,529 | $56,261 | $3,732 |
| Year 10 | $113,424 | $121,483 | $8,059 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ellen Grove or Gailes cheaper to live in?
Ellen Grove is cheaper to run by car at $9,894 per year versus $10,597 for Gailes, a difference of $703 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 Gailes?
Annual council rates for a house are $950 in Ellen Grove (Brisbane City Council) and $1,298 in Gailes (Ipswich City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Ellen Grove and $1,900 in Gailes. 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 Gailes?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,894 from Ellen Grove and $5,099 from Gailes to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Ellen Grove and $192 from Gailes.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Ellen Grove and Gailes?
At 3% annual cost growth, Ellen Grove costs a cumulative $113,424 and Gailes costs $121,483 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $8,059 in favour of Ellen Grove. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Ellen Grove and Gailes suits you better?
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Sources: Brisbane City Council and Ipswich 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.