Everton Park vs McDowall, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Everton Park and McDowall are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 8.6 km and 10.3 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Everton Park runs $953 a year cheaper than McDowall, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $10,925.
Over 10 years the gap between these two is about $10,900, about $21 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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McDowall
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Everton Park | McDowall | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $950 | $950 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,682 | $3,135 | -$453 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,650 | $2,150 | -$500 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,800 | $2,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $7,182 | $8,135 | -$953 |
| Total (public transport) | $4,692 | $5,192 | -$500 |
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 | Everton Park | McDowall | 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, Everton Park vs McDowall (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Everton Park and McDowall differ by $953 a year by car, but $500 of that is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On the sourced costs, council rates, water and the commute, the gap is $453, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $500 per year. McDowall carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $500 per year, $4,692 from Everton Park versus $5,192 from McDowall.
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 Everton Park by $453 a year, $2,682 against $3,135.
- Building insurance favours Everton Park by $500 a year, $1,650 against $2,150.
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.
Fire risk is rated high in McDowall against medium in Everton Park, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Everton Park cumulative | McDowall cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,182 | $8,135 | $953 |
| Year 3 | $22,199 | $25,144 | $2,945 |
| Year 5 | $38,130 | $43,190 | $5,060 |
| Year 10 | $82,334 | $93,259 | $10,925 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Everton Park or McDowall cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Everton Park runs $7,182 a year by car and McDowall $8,135, but most of the $953 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $453. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Everton Park and McDowall?
Annual council rates for a house are $950 in Everton Park (Brisbane City Council) and $950 in McDowall (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Everton Park and $1,900 in McDowall. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Everton Park and McDowall?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,682 from Everton Park and $3,135 from McDowall to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Everton Park and $192 from McDowall.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Everton Park and McDowall?
At 3% annual cost growth, Everton Park costs a cumulative $82,334 and McDowall costs $93,259 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $10,925 in favour of Everton Park. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Everton Park and McDowall 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.