Esk vs Glen Esk, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Esk and Glen Esk are both Somerset Regional Council suburbs, sitting 2.2 km and 4.4 km from Esk CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Esk runs $755 a year cheaper than Glen Esk, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $8,656.
Over 10 years, Esk costs about $8,700 less to run than Glen Esk. That's about $17 a week.
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Glen Esk
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Esk | Glen Esk | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,284 | $1,284 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $748 | $1,453 | -$705 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $748 | $1,453 | -$705 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,150 | $2,200 | -$50 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,600 | $1,400 | +$200 |
| Total (driving) | $6,082 | $6,837 | -$755 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,082 | $6,837 | -$755 |
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 | Esk | Glen Esk | 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, Esk vs Glen Esk (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Esk costs $755 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $8,656 in favour of Esk.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $705 per year. Glen Esk is 4.4 km from Esk CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $755 per year, $6,082 from Esk versus $6,837 from Glen Esk.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,284 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,900 a year.
- Driving commute favours Esk by $705 a year, $748 against $1,453.
- Building insurance favours Esk by $50 a year, $2,150 against $2,200.
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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Esk cumulative | Glen Esk cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $6,082 | $6,837 | $755 |
| Year 3 | $18,799 | $21,132 | $2,333 |
| Year 5 | $32,290 | $36,299 | $4,009 |
| Year 10 | $69,723 | $78,379 | $8,656 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Esk or Glen Esk cheaper to live in?
Esk is cheaper to run by car at $6,082 per year versus $6,837 for Glen Esk, a difference of $755 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Esk and Glen Esk?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,284 in Esk (Somerset Regional Council) and $1,284 in Glen Esk (Somerset Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Esk and $1,900 in Glen Esk. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Esk and Glen Esk?
Annual driving commute costs are $748 from Esk and $1,453 from Glen Esk to Esk CBD (ATO 91c/km). No daily public transport commute is assumed from either suburb, so both are costed by car.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Esk and Glen Esk?
At 3% annual cost growth, Esk costs a cumulative $69,723 and Glen Esk costs $78,379 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $8,656 in favour of Esk. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Esk and Glen Esk suits you better?
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Sources: Somerset Regional Council and Somerset Regional 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.