Gordon Park vs Stafford, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/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 $494 a year cheaper than Stafford, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,663.
Over 10 years, Gordon Park costs about $5,700 less to run than Stafford. That's about $11 a week.
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Stafford
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Gordon Park | Stafford | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $950 | $950 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,910 | $2,204 | -$294 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,050 | $2,250 | -$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $3,000 | $2,800 | +$200 |
| Total (driving) | $6,810 | $7,304 | -$494 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,092 | $5,292 | -$200 |
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 | Gordon Park | Stafford | 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, Gordon Park vs Stafford (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Gordon Park costs $494 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,663 in favour of Gordon Park.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $294 per year. Stafford is 6.9 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $200 per year, $5,092 from Gordon Park versus $5,292 from Stafford.
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 Gordon Park by $294 a year, $1,910 against $2,204.
- Building insurance favours Gordon Park by $200 a year, $2,050 against $2,250.
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 Stafford against low in Gordon Park, which feeds the insurance estimate. The catchment state school scores 9 in Gordon Park against 5.9 in Stafford, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Gordon Park cumulative | Stafford cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $6,810 | $7,304 | $494 |
| Year 3 | $21,049 | $22,576 | $1,527 |
| Year 5 | $36,155 | $38,778 | $2,623 |
| Year 10 | $78,069 | $83,732 | $5,663 |
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 $6,810 per year versus $7,304 for Stafford, a difference of $494 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Gordon Park and Stafford?
Annual council rates for a house are $950 in Gordon Park (Brisbane City Council) and $950 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 $1,910 from Gordon Park and $2,204 from Stafford to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/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 $78,069 and Stafford costs $83,732 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,663 in favour of Gordon Park. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Gordon Park and Stafford 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.