Gailes vs Goodna, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Gailes and Goodna are both Ipswich City Council suburbs, sitting 19.2 km and 20.4 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Gailes runs $362 a year cheaper than Goodna, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,150.
Over 10 years, Gailes costs about $4,200 less to run than Goodna. That's about $8 a week.
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Goodna
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Gailes | Goodna | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,298 | $1,298 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $5,099 | $5,311 | -$212 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,300 | $2,450 | -$150 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,000 | $2,200 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $10,597 | $10,959 | -$362 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,690 | $5,840 | -$150 |
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 | Gailes | Goodna | 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, Gailes vs Goodna (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Gailes costs $362 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,150 in favour of Gailes.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $212 per year. Goodna is 20.4 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $5,690 and $5,840 a year, so the $362 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,298 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,900 a year.
- Driving commute favours Gailes by $212 a year, $5,099 against $5,311.
- Building insurance favours Gailes by $150 a year, $2,300 against $2,450.
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.
Flood risk is rated high in Goodna against low in Gailes, which feeds the insurance estimate. The catchment state school scores 5.6 in Gailes against 4 in Goodna, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Gailes cumulative | Goodna cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,597 | $10,959 | $362 |
| Year 3 | $32,754 | $33,873 | $1,119 |
| Year 5 | $56,261 | $58,183 | $1,922 |
| Year 10 | $121,483 | $125,633 | $4,150 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Gailes or Goodna cheaper to live in?
Gailes is cheaper to run by car at $10,597 per year versus $10,959 for Goodna, a difference of $362 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Gailes and Goodna?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,298 in Gailes (Ipswich City Council) and $1,298 in Goodna (Ipswich City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Gailes and $1,900 in Goodna. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Gailes and Goodna?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,099 from Gailes and $5,311 from Goodna to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Gailes and $192 from Goodna.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Gailes and Goodna?
At 3% annual cost growth, Gailes costs a cumulative $121,483 and Goodna costs $125,633 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,150 in favour of Gailes. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Gailes and Goodna suits you better?
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Sources: Ipswich 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.