Ferny Glen vs Flying Fox, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Ferny Glen and Flying Fox are both Scenic Rim Regional Council suburbs, sitting 18.9 km and 21.6 km from Beaudesert CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Ferny Glen runs $416 a year cheaper than Flying Fox, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,769.
Over 10 years, Ferny Glen costs about $4,800 less to run than Flying Fox. That's about $9 a week.
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Flying Fox
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Ferny Glen | Flying Fox | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,376 | $1,376 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $5,044 | $5,510 | -$466 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $5,044 | $5,510 | -$466 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,200 | $2,150 | +$50 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,400 | $1,500 | -$100 |
| Total (driving) | $10,520 | $10,936 | -$416 |
| Total (public transport) | $10,520 | $10,936 | -$416 |
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 | Ferny Glen | Flying Fox | 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, Ferny Glen vs Flying Fox (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Ferny Glen costs $416 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,769 in favour of Ferny Glen.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $466 per year. Flying Fox is 21.6 km from Beaudesert CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $416 per year, $10,520 from Ferny Glen versus $10,936 from Flying Fox.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,376 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,900 a year.
- Driving commute favours Ferny Glen by $466 a year, $5,044 against $5,510.
- Building insurance favours Flying Fox 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 | Ferny Glen cumulative | Flying Fox cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,520 | $10,936 | $416 |
| Year 3 | $32,516 | $33,802 | $1,286 |
| Year 5 | $55,852 | $58,061 | $2,209 |
| Year 10 | $120,600 | $125,369 | $4,769 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ferny Glen or Flying Fox cheaper to live in?
Ferny Glen is cheaper to run by car at $10,520 per year versus $10,936 for Flying Fox, a difference of $416 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Ferny Glen and Flying Fox?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,376 in Ferny Glen (Scenic Rim Regional Council) and $1,376 in Flying Fox (Scenic Rim Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Ferny Glen and $1,900 in Flying Fox. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Ferny Glen and Flying Fox?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,044 from Ferny Glen and $5,510 from Flying Fox to Beaudesert 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 Ferny Glen and Flying Fox?
At 3% annual cost growth, Ferny Glen costs a cumulative $120,600 and Flying Fox costs $125,369 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,769 in favour of Ferny Glen. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Ferny Glen and Flying Fox suits you better?
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Sources: Scenic Rim Regional Council and Scenic Rim 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.