Forestdale vs Heathwood, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Forestdale (Logan City Council) and Heathwood (Brisbane City Council) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Brisbane CBD (21.6 km and 19.2 km).
Heathwood runs $1,259 a year cheaper than Forestdale, driven mostly by council rates. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $14,433.
Over 10 years, Heathwood costs about $14,400 less to run than Forestdale. That's about $28 a week.
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Heathwood
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Forestdale | Heathwood | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,699 | $950 | +$749 |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,149 | $1,900 | +$249 |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $5,510 | $5,099 | +$411 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,100 | $2,250 | -$150 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,600 | $2,200 | +$400 |
| Total (driving) | $11,458 | $10,199 | +$1,259 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,140 | $5,292 | +$848 |
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 | Forestdale | Heathwood | 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, Forestdale vs Heathwood (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Heathwood costs $1,259 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $14,433 in favour of Heathwood.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $749 per year.
On public transport the gap is $848 per year, $6,140 from Forestdale versus $5,292 from Heathwood.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Heathwood by $749 a year, $950 against $1,699.
- Water and sewerage favours Heathwood by $249 a year, $1,900 against $2,149.
- Driving commute favours Heathwood by $411 a year, $5,099 against $5,510.
- Building insurance favours Forestdale by $150 a year, $2,100 against $2,250.
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.
Flood risk is rated medium in Heathwood against low in Forestdale, which feeds the insurance estimate. The catchment state school scores 7.5 in Heathwood against 4.1 in Forestdale, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Forestdale cumulative | Heathwood cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,458 | $10,199 | $1,259 |
| Year 3 | $35,416 | $31,524 | $3,892 |
| Year 5 | $60,832 | $54,148 | $6,684 |
| Year 10 | $131,353 | $116,920 | $14,433 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Forestdale or Heathwood cheaper to live in?
Heathwood is cheaper to run by car at $10,199 per year versus $11,458 for Forestdale, a difference of $1,259 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Forestdale and Heathwood?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,699 in Forestdale (Logan City Council) and $950 in Heathwood (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,149 in Forestdale and $1,900 in Heathwood. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Forestdale and Heathwood?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,510 from Forestdale and $5,099 from Heathwood to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Forestdale and $192 from Heathwood.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Forestdale and Heathwood?
At 3% annual cost growth, Forestdale costs a cumulative $131,353 and Heathwood costs $116,920 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $14,433 in favour of Heathwood. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Forestdale and Heathwood suits you better?
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Sources: Logan 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.