Forestdale vs Hillcrest, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Forestdale and Hillcrest are both Logan City Council suburbs, sitting 21.6 km and 22.1 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Hillcrest runs $471 a year cheaper than Forestdale, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,399.
Over 10 years the gap between these two is about $5,400, about $10 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Hillcrest
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Forestdale | Hillcrest | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,699 | $1,699 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,149 | $2,149 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $5,510 | $5,589 | -$79 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,100 | $1,550 | +$550 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,600 | $2,200 | +$400 |
| Total (driving) | $11,458 | $10,987 | +$471 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,140 | $5,590 | +$550 |
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 | Hillcrest | 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 Hillcrest (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Forestdale and Hillcrest differ by $471 a year by car, but $550 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 $79, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $550 per year.
On public transport the gap is $550 per year, $6,140 from Forestdale versus $5,590 from Hillcrest.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,699 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $2,149 a year.
- Driving commute favours Forestdale by $79 a year, $5,510 against $5,589.
- Building insurance favours Hillcrest by $550 a year, $1,550 against $2,100.
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.
Fire risk is rated high in Forestdale against medium in Hillcrest, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Forestdale cumulative | Hillcrest cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,458 | $10,987 | $471 |
| Year 3 | $35,416 | $33,960 | $1,456 |
| Year 5 | $60,832 | $58,331 | $2,501 |
| Year 10 | $131,353 | $125,954 | $5,399 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Forestdale or Hillcrest cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Forestdale runs $11,458 a year by car and Hillcrest $10,987, but most of the $471 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $79. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Forestdale and Hillcrest?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,699 in Forestdale (Logan City Council) and $1,699 in Hillcrest (Logan City Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,149 in Forestdale and $2,149 in Hillcrest. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Forestdale and Hillcrest?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,510 from Forestdale and $5,589 from Hillcrest to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Forestdale and $192 from Hillcrest.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Forestdale and Hillcrest?
At 3% annual cost growth, Forestdale costs a cumulative $131,353 and Hillcrest costs $125,954 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,399 in favour of Hillcrest. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Forestdale and Hillcrest suits you better?
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Sources: Logan City Council and Logan 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.