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.
The two sit within $235 a year of each other to run, so running cost is a minor factor here. The decision comes down to schools, risk and lifestyle, all in the free report.
Over 10 years the gap between these two is about $2,700, about $5 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Tennyson
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Graceville | Tennyson | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $950 | $950 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,289 | $2,204 | +$85 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,450 | $2,300 | +$150 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $3,200 | $2,900 | +$300 |
| Total (driving) | $7,589 | $7,354 | +$235 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,492 | $5,342 | +$150 |
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 | 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
Graceville and Tennyson differ by $235 a year by car, but $150 of that is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On the sourced costs, council rates, water and the commute, the gap is $85, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $150 per year. Graceville carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $5,492 and $5,342 a year, so the $235 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
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 $150 a year, $2,300 against $2,450.
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 | $7,589 | $7,354 | $235 |
| Year 3 | $23,457 | $22,730 | $727 |
| Year 5 | $40,291 | $39,043 | $1,248 |
| Year 10 | $86,999 | $84,305 | $2,694 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Graceville or Tennyson cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Graceville runs $7,589 a year by car and Tennyson $7,354, but most of the $235 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $85. 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 $86,999 and Tennyson costs $84,305 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,694 in favour of Tennyson. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Graceville and Tennyson 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.