Greenleigh vs Queanbeyan East: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Greenleigh and Queanbeyan East are both Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 244.7 km and 243.8 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $250 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 →Greenleigh
Queanbeyan East
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Greenleigh | Queanbeyan East | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,805 | $1,805 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,850 | $3,100 | -$250 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,555 | $23,805 | -$250 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,355 | $8,605 | -$250 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Greenleigh | Queanbeyan East | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,554 | $2,554 | - |
| Unit | $2,020 | $2,020 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2025 rates (QLD 30c/kWh, NSW 33c/kWh incl. supply charge; unit ≈ 75% of a house). Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Cost breakdown chart
Annual cost breakdown — Greenleigh vs Queanbeyan East (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Greenleigh and Queanbeyan East cost within $250 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,866, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $250 per year. Queanbeyan East carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $250 per year, $8,355 from Greenleigh versus $8,605 from Queanbeyan East.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Greenleigh cumulative | Queanbeyan East cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,555 | $23,805 | $250 |
| Year 3 | $72,806 | $73,579 | $773 |
| Year 5 | $125,057 | $126,384 | $1,327 |
| Year 10 | $270,032 | $272,898 | $2,866 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Greenleigh or Queanbeyan East cheaper to live in?
Greenleigh is cheaper to run by car at $23,555 per year versus $23,805 for Queanbeyan East, a difference of $250 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Greenleigh and Queanbeyan East?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,805 in Greenleigh (Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional rates (OLG) and $1,805 in Queanbeyan East (Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Greenleigh and $1,300 in Queanbeyan East. Both figures are the average residential rate reported to the Office of Local Government, uplifted by each council's IPART rate peg.
How does the commute cost compare between Greenleigh and Queanbeyan East?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Greenleigh and $17,600 from Queanbeyan East to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Greenleigh and $2,400 from Queanbeyan East.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Greenleigh and Queanbeyan East?
At 3% annual cost growth, Greenleigh costs a cumulative $270,032 and Queanbeyan East costs $272,898 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,866 in favour of Greenleigh. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Greenleigh and Queanbeyan East 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: Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional rates (OLG and Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional rates (OLG rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.