Forest Lake vs Springfield Lakes: true annual running costs compared (2026)
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
Springfield Lakes
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Forest Lake | Springfield Lakes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,519 | $1,713 | -$194 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,824 | $1,824 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $1,512 | $11,880 | -$10,368 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,700 | $2,950 | -$250 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,800 | $2,000 | +$800 |
| Total (driving) | $7,555 | $18,367 | -$10,812 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,235 | $6,679 | -$444 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary.
Cost breakdown chart
Annual cost breakdown — Forest Lake vs Springfield Lakes (2025-26)
What the numbers show
Forest Lake costs $10,812 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $123,947 in favour of Forest Lake.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $10,368 per year. Springfield Lakes is 26.2 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the gap shifts to $444 per year. Both suburbs pay a flat PT fare, so the difference in total PT cost reflects council rates and insurance rather than commute distance.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Forest Lake cumulative | Springfield Lakes cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,555 | $18,367 | $10,812 |
| Year 3 | $23,352 | $56,771 | $33,419 |
| Year 5 | $40,111 | $97,513 | $57,402 |
| Year 10 | $86,610 | $210,557 | $123,947 |
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 $7,555 per year versus $18,367 for Springfield Lakes — a difference of $10,812 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2025-26 data.
What are council rates in Forest Lake and Springfield Lakes?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,519 in Forest Lake (Brisbane City Council 2025-26) and $1,713 in Springfield Lakes (Ipswich City Council 2025-26). Water and sewerage adds $1,824 in Forest Lake and $1,824 in Springfield Lakes.
How does the commute cost compare between Forest Lake and Springfield Lakes?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,512 from Forest Lake and $11,880 from Springfield Lakes to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km, 220 working days). 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 $86,610 and Springfield Lakes costs $210,557 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $123,947 in favour of Forest Lake. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Compare Forest Lake and Springfield Lakes in the tool
The SuburbCost comparison tool shows the full annual cost breakdown for both suburbs side by side. Toggle between driving and public transport to see which suburb comes out ahead for your commuting pattern.
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Sources: Brisbane City Council and Ipswich City Council rate schedules 2025-26, Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater 2025-26, ATO 88c/km, SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2025.