Graceville vs Tennyson: 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 Tennyson are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 7.2 km and 6.9 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Tennyson runs $885 a year cheaper than Graceville, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $10,145.
Over 10 years, Tennyson costs about $10,100 less to run than Graceville — the same as paying $10,100 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Tennyson
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Graceville | Tennyson | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $950 | $950 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,289 | $2,204 | +$85 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,900 | $2,100 | +$800 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $3,200 | $2,900 | +$300 |
| Total (driving) | $8,039 | $7,154 | +$885 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,942 | $5,142 | +$800 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Graceville | Tennyson | 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 Tennyson (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Tennyson costs $885 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $10,145 in favour of Tennyson.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $800 per year. Graceville carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $800 per year, $5,942 from Graceville versus $5,142 from Tennyson.
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 Tennyson by $85 a year, $2,204 against $2,289.
- Building insurance favours Tennyson by $800 a year, $2,100 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 Tennyson, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated medium in Tennyson against low in Graceville, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Graceville cumulative | Tennyson cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,039 | $7,154 | $885 |
| Year 3 | $24,848 | $22,112 | $2,736 |
| Year 5 | $42,680 | $37,982 | $4,698 |
| Year 10 | $92,158 | $82,013 | $10,145 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Graceville or Tennyson cheaper to live in?
Tennyson is cheaper to run by car at $7,154 per year versus $8,039 for Graceville, a difference of $885 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Graceville and Tennyson?
Annual council rates for a house are $950 in Graceville (Brisbane City Council) and $950 in Tennyson (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Graceville and $1,900 in Tennyson. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Graceville and Tennyson?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,289 from Graceville and $2,204 from Tennyson to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Graceville and $192 from Tennyson.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Graceville and Tennyson?
At 3% annual cost growth, Graceville costs a cumulative $92,158 and Tennyson costs $82,013 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $10,145 in favour of Tennyson. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Graceville and Tennyson 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: 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.