Ferny Grove vs Ferny Hills: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Ferny Grove (Brisbane City Council) and Ferny Hills (Moreton Bay Regional Council) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Brisbane CBD (12.1 km and 13.3 km).
Ferny Grove runs $890 a year cheaper than Ferny Hills, driven mostly by council rates. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $10,203.
Over 10 years, Ferny Grove costs about $10,200 less to run than Ferny Hills — the same as paying $10,200 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Ferny Hills
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Ferny Grove | Ferny Hills | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $950 | $1,309 | -$359 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $2,144 | -$244 |
| Commute (driving) | $3,588 | $3,875 | -$287 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,900 | $2,900 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,400 | $2,300 | +$100 |
| Total (driving) | $9,338 | $10,228 | -$890 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,942 | $6,545 | -$603 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Ferny Grove | Ferny Hills | 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 Grove vs Ferny Hills (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Ferny Grove costs $890 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $10,203 in favour of Ferny Grove.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $359 per year.
On public transport the gap is $603 per year, $5,942 from Ferny Grove versus $6,545 from Ferny Hills.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Ferny Grove by $359 a year, $950 against $1,309.
- Water and sewerage favours Ferny Grove by $244 a year, $1,900 against $2,144.
- Driving commute favours Ferny Grove by $287 a year, $3,588 against $3,875.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,900 a year.
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.
Flood risk is rated medium in Ferny Grove against low in Ferny Hills, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Ferny Grove cumulative | Ferny Hills cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,338 | $10,228 | $890 |
| Year 3 | $28,863 | $31,614 | $2,751 |
| Year 5 | $49,577 | $54,302 | $4,725 |
| Year 10 | $107,050 | $117,253 | $10,203 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ferny Grove or Ferny Hills cheaper to live in?
Ferny Grove is cheaper to run by car at $9,338 per year versus $10,228 for Ferny Hills, a difference of $890 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Ferny Grove and Ferny Hills?
Annual council rates for a house are $950 in Ferny Grove (Brisbane City Council) and $1,309 in Ferny Hills (Moreton Bay Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Ferny Grove and $2,144 in Ferny Hills. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Ferny Grove and Ferny Hills?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,588 from Ferny Grove and $3,875 from Ferny Hills to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Ferny Grove and $192 from Ferny Hills.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Ferny Grove and Ferny Hills?
At 3% annual cost growth, Ferny Grove costs a cumulative $107,050 and Ferny Hills costs $117,253 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $10,203 in favour of Ferny Grove. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Ferny Grove and Ferny Hills 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 Moreton Bay Regional Council rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.