Geebung vs Zillmere, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Geebung and Zillmere are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 11.2 km and 12.5 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $280 a year of each other to run, so running cost is a minor factor here. The decision comes down to schools, risk and lifestyle, all in the free report.
Over 10 years the gap between these two is about $3,200, about $6 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Zillmere
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Geebung | Zillmere | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $950 | $950 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $3,366 | $3,686 | -$320 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,050 | $1,450 | +$600 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,400 | $2,800 | -$400 |
| Total (driving) | $8,266 | $7,986 | +$280 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,092 | $4,492 | +$600 |
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 | Geebung | Zillmere | 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, Geebung vs Zillmere (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Geebung and Zillmere differ by $280 a year by car, but $600 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 $320, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $600 per year. Geebung carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $600 per year, $5,092 from Geebung versus $4,492 from Zillmere.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $950 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,900 a year.
- Driving commute favours Geebung by $320 a year, $3,366 against $3,686.
- Building insurance favours Zillmere by $600 a year, $1,450 against $2,050.
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 medium in Zillmere against low in Geebung, which feeds the insurance estimate. The catchment state school scores 6.8 in Geebung against 3.2 in Zillmere, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Geebung cumulative | Zillmere cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,266 | $7,986 | $280 |
| Year 3 | $25,549 | $24,684 | $865 |
| Year 5 | $43,885 | $42,399 | $1,486 |
| Year 10 | $94,760 | $91,551 | $3,209 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Geebung or Zillmere cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Geebung runs $8,266 a year by car and Zillmere $7,986, but most of the $280 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $320. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Geebung and Zillmere?
Annual council rates for a house are $950 in Geebung (Brisbane City Council) and $950 in Zillmere (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Geebung and $1,900 in Zillmere. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Geebung and Zillmere?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,366 from Geebung and $3,686 from Zillmere to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Geebung and $192 from Zillmere.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Geebung and Zillmere?
At 3% annual cost growth, Geebung costs a cumulative $94,760 and Zillmere costs $91,551 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,209 in favour of Zillmere. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Geebung and Zillmere suits you better?
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Sources: Brisbane 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.