Forest Lake vs Springfield Lakes, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Forest Lake (Brisbane City Council) and Springfield Lakes (Ipswich City Council) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Brisbane CBD (17.9 km and 26.2 km).
Forest Lake runs $1,900 a year cheaper than Springfield Lakes, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $21,781.
Over 10 years, Forest Lake costs about $21,800 less to run than Springfield Lakes. That's about $42 a week.
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Springfield Lakes
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Forest Lake | Springfield Lakes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $950 | $1,298 | -$348 |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $4,855 | $6,157 | -$1,302 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,950 | $2,200 | -$250 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,800 | $2,000 | +$800 |
| Total (driving) | $9,655 | $11,555 | -$1,900 |
| Total (public transport) | $4,992 | $5,590 | -$598 |
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 | Forest Lake | Springfield Lakes | 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, Forest Lake vs Springfield Lakes (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Forest Lake costs $1,900 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $21,781 in favour of Forest Lake.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $1,302 per year. Springfield Lakes is 26.2 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $598 per year, $4,992 from Forest Lake versus $5,590 from Springfield Lakes.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Forest Lake by $348 a year, $950 against $1,298.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,900 a year.
- Driving commute favours Forest Lake by $1,302 a year, $4,855 against $6,157.
- Building insurance favours Forest Lake by $250 a year, $1,950 against $2,200.
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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Forest Lake cumulative | Springfield Lakes cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,655 | $11,555 | $1,900 |
| Year 3 | $29,843 | $35,715 | $5,872 |
| Year 5 | $51,260 | $61,347 | $10,087 |
| Year 10 | $110,684 | $132,465 | $21,781 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Forest Lake or Springfield Lakes cheaper to live in?
Forest Lake is cheaper to run by car at $9,655 per year versus $11,555 for Springfield Lakes, a difference of $1,900 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Forest Lake and Springfield Lakes?
Annual council rates for a house are $950 in Forest Lake (Brisbane City Council) and $1,298 in Springfield Lakes (Ipswich City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Forest Lake and $1,900 in Springfield Lakes. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Forest Lake and Springfield Lakes?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,855 from Forest Lake and $6,157 from Springfield Lakes to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Forest Lake and $192 from Springfield Lakes.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Forest Lake and Springfield Lakes?
At 3% annual cost growth, Forest Lake costs a cumulative $110,684 and Springfield Lakes costs $132,465 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $21,781 in favour of Forest Lake. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Forest Lake and Springfield Lakes suits you better?
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Sources: Brisbane City Council and Ipswich 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.