Everton Park vs Stafford Heights: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Everton Park and Stafford Heights are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 8.6 km and 8.2 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Stafford Heights runs $407 a year cheaper than Everton Park, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,666.
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 →Everton Park
Stafford Heights
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Everton Park | Stafford Heights | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,579 | $1,579 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,594 | $2,487 | +$107 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,200 | $1,900 | +$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,800 | $2,700 | +$100 |
| Total (driving) | $8,273 | $7,866 | +$407 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,871 | $5,571 | +$300 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Everton Park | Stafford Heights | 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 — Everton Park vs Stafford Heights (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Stafford Heights costs $407 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,666 in favour of Stafford Heights.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $300 per year. Everton Park carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $5,871 from Everton Park versus $5,571 from Stafford Heights.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Everton Park cumulative | Stafford Heights cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,273 | $7,866 | $407 |
| Year 3 | $25,571 | $24,313 | $1,258 |
| Year 5 | $43,922 | $41,762 | $2,160 |
| Year 10 | $94,841 | $90,175 | $4,666 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Everton Park or Stafford Heights cheaper to live in?
Stafford Heights is cheaper to run by car at $7,866 per year versus $8,273 for Everton Park, a difference of $407 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Everton Park and Stafford Heights?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,579 in Everton Park (Brisbane City Council) and $1,579 in Stafford Heights (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Everton Park and $1,900 in Stafford Heights. 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 Stafford Heights?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,594 from Everton Park and $2,487 from Stafford Heights to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Everton Park and $192 from Stafford Heights.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Everton Park and Stafford Heights?
At 3% annual cost growth, Everton Park costs a cumulative $94,841 and Stafford Heights costs $90,175 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,666 in favour of Stafford Heights. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Everton Park and Stafford Heights 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.