Ferny Grove vs Ferny Hills: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/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 $578 a year cheaper than Ferny Hills, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,626.
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 →Ferny Grove
Ferny Hills
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Ferny Grove | Ferny Hills | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,579 | $1,636 | -$57 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $2,144 | -$244 |
| Commute (driving) | $3,470 | $3,747 | -$277 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,900 | $2,900 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,400 | $2,300 | +$100 |
| Total (driving) | $9,849 | $10,427 | -$578 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,571 | $6,872 | -$301 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Ferny Grove | Ferny Hills | 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 — Ferny Grove vs Ferny Hills (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Ferny Grove costs $578 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $6,626 in favour of Ferny Grove.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $277 per year. Ferny Hills is 13.3 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the gap is $301 per year, $6,571 from Ferny Grove versus $6,872 from Ferny Hills.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Ferny Grove cumulative | Ferny Hills cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,849 | $10,427 | $578 |
| Year 3 | $30,442 | $32,229 | $1,787 |
| Year 5 | $52,290 | $55,358 | $3,068 |
| Year 10 | $112,908 | $119,534 | $6,626 |
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 $9,849 per year versus $10,427 for Ferny Hills, a difference of $578 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/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 $1,579 in Ferny Grove (Brisbane City Council) and $1,636 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 $3,470 from Ferny Grove and $3,747 from Ferny Hills to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/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 $112,908 and Ferny Hills costs $119,534 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,626 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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.