Graceville vs Sherwood: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Graceville and Sherwood are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 7.2 km and 8 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Sherwood runs $873 a year cheaper than Graceville, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $10,008.
Over 10 years, Sherwood costs about $10,000 less to run than Graceville — the same as paying $10,000 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 →Graceville
Sherwood
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Graceville | Sherwood | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $950 | $950 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,289 | $2,516 | -$227 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,900 | $1,800 | +$1,100 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $3,200 | $3,200 | - |
| Total (driving) | $8,039 | $7,166 | +$873 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,942 | $4,842 | +$1,100 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Graceville | Sherwood | 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 — Graceville vs Sherwood (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Sherwood costs $873 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $10,008 in favour of Sherwood.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $1,100 per year. Graceville carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $1,100 per year, $5,942 from Graceville versus $4,842 from Sherwood.
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 Graceville by $227 a year, $2,289 against $2,516.
- Building insurance favours Sherwood by $1,100 a year, $1,800 against $2,900.
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 Graceville against low in Sherwood, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Graceville cumulative | Sherwood cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,039 | $7,166 | $873 |
| Year 3 | $24,848 | $22,149 | $2,699 |
| Year 5 | $42,680 | $38,045 | $4,635 |
| Year 10 | $92,158 | $82,150 | $10,008 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Graceville or Sherwood cheaper to live in?
Sherwood is cheaper to run by car at $7,166 per year versus $8,039 for Graceville, a difference of $873 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Graceville and Sherwood?
Annual council rates for a house are $950 in Graceville (Brisbane City Council) and $950 in Sherwood (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Graceville and $1,900 in Sherwood. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Graceville and Sherwood?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,289 from Graceville and $2,516 from Sherwood to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Graceville and $192 from Sherwood.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Graceville and Sherwood?
At 3% annual cost growth, Graceville costs a cumulative $92,158 and Sherwood costs $82,150 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $10,008 in favour of Sherwood. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Graceville and Sherwood 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 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.