Gordon Park vs Stafford: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Gordon Park and Stafford are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 5.9 km and 6.9 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Gordon Park runs $484 a year cheaper than Stafford, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,549.
Over 10 years these two cost about the same to run. The difference here isn't money — it's location, schools and lifestyle.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Gordon Park
Stafford
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Gordon Park | Stafford | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,579 | $1,579 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $1,847 | $2,131 | -$284 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,750 | $1,950 | -$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $3,000 | $2,800 | +$200 |
| Total (driving) | $7,076 | $7,560 | -$484 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,421 | $5,621 | -$200 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Gordon Park | Stafford | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $1,976 | $1,976 | - |
| Unit | $1,591 | $1,591 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2025 rates (QLD 30c/kWh, NSW 33c/kWh incl. supply charge; unit ≈ 75% of a house). Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Cost breakdown chart
Annual cost breakdown — Gordon Park vs Stafford (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Gordon Park costs $484 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,549 in favour of Gordon Park.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $284 per year. Stafford is 6.9 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the gap is $200 per year, $5,421 from Gordon Park versus $5,621 from Stafford.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Gordon Park cumulative | Stafford cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,076 | $7,560 | $484 |
| Year 3 | $21,871 | $23,367 | $1,496 |
| Year 5 | $37,567 | $40,137 | $2,570 |
| Year 10 | $81,118 | $86,667 | $5,549 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Gordon Park or Stafford cheaper to live in?
Gordon Park is cheaper to run by car at $7,076 per year versus $7,560 for Stafford, a difference of $484 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Gordon Park and Stafford?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,579 in Gordon Park (Brisbane City Council) and $1,579 in Stafford (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Gordon Park and $1,900 in Stafford. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Gordon Park and Stafford?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,847 from Gordon Park and $2,131 from Stafford to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Gordon Park and $192 from Stafford.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Gordon Park and Stafford?
At 3% annual cost growth, Gordon Park costs a cumulative $81,118 and Stafford costs $86,667 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,549 in favour of Gordon Park. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Gordon Park and Stafford 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.
Related comparisons
Sources: Brisbane City Council and Brisbane City Council rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.