Ferny Grove vs Keperra, 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 and Keperra are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 12.1 km and 9.5 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Keperra runs $663 a year cheaper than Ferny Grove, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $7,600.
Over 10 years, Keperra costs about $7,600 less to run than Ferny Grove. That's about $15 a week.
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Keperra
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Ferny Grove | Keperra | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $950 | $950 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $3,588 | $2,925 | +$663 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,000 | $2,000 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,400 | $2,600 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $8,438 | $7,775 | +$663 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,042 | $5,042 | - |
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 Grove | Keperra | 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 Keperra (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Keperra costs $663 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $7,600 in favour of Keperra.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $663 per year. Ferny Grove is 12.1 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $5,042 and $5,042 a year, so the $663 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
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 Keperra by $663 a year, $2,925 against $3,588.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,000 a year.
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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Ferny Grove cumulative | Keperra cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,438 | $7,775 | $663 |
| Year 3 | $26,081 | $24,032 | $2,049 |
| Year 5 | $44,798 | $41,279 | $3,519 |
| Year 10 | $96,732 | $89,132 | $7,600 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ferny Grove or Keperra cheaper to live in?
Keperra is cheaper to run by car at $7,775 per year versus $8,438 for Ferny Grove, a difference of $663 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 Keperra?
Annual council rates for a house are $950 in Ferny Grove (Brisbane City Council) and $950 in Keperra (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Ferny Grove and $1,900 in Keperra. 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 Keperra?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,588 from Ferny Grove and $2,925 from Keperra to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Ferny Grove and $192 from Keperra.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Ferny Grove and Keperra?
At 3% annual cost growth, Ferny Grove costs a cumulative $96,732 and Keperra costs $89,132 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $7,600 in favour of Keperra. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Ferny Grove and Keperra 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.