Grange 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
Grange and Stafford are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 5.4 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 $206 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 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 →Grange
Stafford
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Grange | Stafford | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $950 | $950 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $1,760 | $2,204 | -$444 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,600 | $1,950 | +$650 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $3,200 | $2,800 | +$400 |
| Total (driving) | $7,210 | $7,004 | +$206 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,642 | $4,992 | +$650 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Grange | 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 — Grange vs Stafford (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Grange and Stafford cost within $206 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,362, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $650 per year.
On public transport the gap is $650 per year, $5,642 from Grange versus $4,992 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 Grange by $444 a year, $1,760 against $2,204.
- Building insurance favours Stafford by $650 a year, $1,950 against $2,600.
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 medium in Stafford against low in Grange, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated high in Grange against medium in Stafford, which feeds the insurance estimate. The catchment state school scores 10 in Grange against 5.9 in Stafford, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Grange cumulative | Stafford cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,210 | $7,004 | $206 |
| Year 3 | $22,285 | $21,649 | $636 |
| Year 5 | $38,279 | $37,185 | $1,094 |
| Year 10 | $82,655 | $80,293 | $2,362 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Grange or Stafford cheaper to live in?
Stafford is cheaper to run by car at $7,004 per year versus $7,210 for Grange, a difference of $206 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Grange and Stafford?
Annual council rates for a house are $950 in Grange (Brisbane City Council) and $950 in Stafford (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Grange 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 Grange and Stafford?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,760 from Grange and $2,204 from Stafford to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Grange and $192 from Stafford.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Grange and Stafford?
At 3% annual cost growth, Grange costs a cumulative $82,655 and Stafford costs $80,293 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,362 in favour of Stafford. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Grange 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.
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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.