Goodna vs Redbank: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Goodna and Redbank are both Ipswich City Council suburbs, sitting 20.4 km and 21 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Redbank runs $2,499 a year cheaper than Goodna, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $28,648.
Over 10 years, Redbank costs about $28,600 less to run than Goodna — the same as paying $28,600 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Goodna
Redbank
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Goodna | Redbank | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,298 | $1,298 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,311 | $5,412 | -$101 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $5,500 | $2,900 | +$2,600 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,200 | $2,200 | - |
| Total (driving) | $14,009 | $11,510 | +$2,499 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,890 | $6,290 | +$2,600 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Goodna | Redbank | 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 — Goodna vs Redbank (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Redbank costs $2,499 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $28,648 in favour of Redbank.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $2,600 per year. Goodna carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $2,600 per year, $8,890 from Goodna versus $6,290 from Redbank.
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 Goodna by $101 a year, $5,311 against $5,412.
- Building insurance favours Redbank by $2,600 a year, $2,900 against $5,500.
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 Redbank, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Goodna cumulative | Redbank cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $14,009 | $11,510 | $2,499 |
| Year 3 | $43,300 | $35,576 | $7,724 |
| Year 5 | $74,376 | $61,108 | $13,268 |
| Year 10 | $160,597 | $131,949 | $28,648 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Goodna or Redbank cheaper to live in?
Redbank is cheaper to run by car at $11,510 per year versus $14,009 for Goodna, a difference of $2,499 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Goodna and Redbank?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,298 in Goodna (Ipswich City Council) and $1,298 in Redbank (Ipswich City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Goodna and $1,900 in Redbank. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Goodna and Redbank?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,311 from Goodna and $5,412 from Redbank to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Goodna and $192 from Redbank.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Goodna and Redbank?
At 3% annual cost growth, Goodna costs a cumulative $160,597 and Redbank costs $131,949 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $28,648 in favour of Redbank. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Goodna and Redbank 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.
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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 AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.