Forest Lake vs Springfield Lakes: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/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 $1,228 a year cheaper than Springfield Lakes, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $14,078.
Over 10 years, Forest Lake costs about $14,100 less to run than Springfield Lakes — the same as paying $14,100 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Springfield Lakes
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Forest Lake | Springfield Lakes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,579 | $1,298 | +$281 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,695 | $5,954 | -$1,259 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,700 | $2,950 | -$250 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,800 | $2,000 | +$800 |
| Total (driving) | $10,874 | $12,102 | -$1,228 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,371 | $6,340 | +$31 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Forest Lake | Springfield Lakes | 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 — Forest Lake vs Springfield Lakes (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Forest Lake costs $1,228 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $14,078 in favour of Forest Lake.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $1,259 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 two suburbs cost almost the same, $6,371 and $6,340 a year, so the $1,228 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Forest Lake cumulative | Springfield Lakes cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,874 | $12,102 | $1,228 |
| Year 3 | $33,610 | $37,406 | $3,796 |
| Year 5 | $57,732 | $64,251 | $6,519 |
| Year 10 | $124,658 | $138,736 | $14,078 |
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 $10,874 per year versus $12,102 for Springfield Lakes, a difference of $1,228 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/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 $1,579 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 $4,695 from Forest Lake and $5,954 from Springfield Lakes to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/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 $124,658 and Springfield Lakes costs $138,736 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $14,078 in favour of Forest Lake. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Forest Lake and Springfield Lakes 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 Ipswich City 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.