Ferny Grove vs Upper Kedron, 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 Upper Kedron are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 12.1 km and 12 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $177 a year of each other to run, so running cost is a minor factor here. The decision comes down to schools, risk and lifestyle, all in the free report.
Over 10 years the gap between these two is about $2,000, about $4 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Upper Kedron
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Ferny Grove | Upper Kedron | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $950 | $950 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $3,588 | $3,565 | +$23 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,000 | $2,200 | -$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,400 | $2,800 | -$400 |
| Total (driving) | $8,438 | $8,615 | -$177 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,042 | $5,242 | -$200 |
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 | Upper Kedron | 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 Upper Kedron (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Ferny Grove and Upper Kedron differ by $177 a year by car, but $200 of that is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On the sourced costs, council rates, water and the commute, the gap is $23, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $200 per year.
On public transport the gap is $200 per year, $5,042 from Ferny Grove versus $5,242 from Upper Kedron.
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 Upper Kedron by $23 a year, $3,565 against $3,588.
- Building insurance favours Ferny Grove by $200 a year, $2,000 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.
Flood risk is rated medium in Ferny Grove against low in Upper Kedron, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Ferny Grove cumulative | Upper Kedron cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,438 | $8,615 | $177 |
| Year 3 | $26,081 | $26,628 | $547 |
| Year 5 | $44,798 | $45,738 | $940 |
| Year 10 | $96,732 | $98,761 | $2,029 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ferny Grove or Upper Kedron cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Ferny Grove runs $8,438 a year by car and Upper Kedron $8,615, but most of the $177 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $23. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Ferny Grove and Upper Kedron?
Annual council rates for a house are $950 in Ferny Grove (Brisbane City Council) and $950 in Upper Kedron (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Ferny Grove and $1,900 in Upper Kedron. 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 Upper Kedron?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,588 from Ferny Grove and $3,565 from Upper Kedron to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Ferny Grove and $192 from Upper Kedron.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Ferny Grove and Upper Kedron?
At 3% annual cost growth, Ferny Grove costs a cumulative $96,732 and Upper Kedron costs $98,761 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,029 in favour of Ferny Grove. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Ferny Grove and Upper Kedron 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.