Greenslopes vs Tarragindi, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Greenslopes and Tarragindi are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 4.9 km and 6.7 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Greenslopes runs $1,138 a year cheaper than Tarragindi, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $13,046.
Over 10 years the gap between these two is about $13,000, about $25 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Tarragindi
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Greenslopes | Tarragindi | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $950 | $950 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,607 | $2,145 | -$538 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,200 | $2,800 | -$600 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $3,200 | $2,800 | +$400 |
| Total (driving) | $6,657 | $7,795 | -$1,138 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,242 | $5,842 | -$600 |
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 | Greenslopes | Tarragindi | 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, Greenslopes vs Tarragindi (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Greenslopes and Tarragindi differ by $1,138 a year by car, but $600 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 $538, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $600 per year.
On public transport the gap is $600 per year, $5,242 from Greenslopes versus $5,842 from Tarragindi.
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 Greenslopes by $538 a year, $1,607 against $2,145.
- Building insurance favours Greenslopes by $600 a year, $2,200 against $2,800.
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 Greenslopes against low in Tarragindi, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated high in Tarragindi against medium in Greenslopes, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Greenslopes cumulative | Tarragindi cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $6,657 | $7,795 | $1,138 |
| Year 3 | $20,576 | $24,094 | $3,518 |
| Year 5 | $35,343 | $41,385 | $6,042 |
| Year 10 | $76,315 | $89,361 | $13,046 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Greenslopes or Tarragindi cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Greenslopes runs $6,657 a year by car and Tarragindi $7,795, but most of the $1,138 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $538. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Greenslopes and Tarragindi?
Annual council rates for a house are $950 in Greenslopes (Brisbane City Council) and $950 in Tarragindi (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Greenslopes and $1,900 in Tarragindi. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Greenslopes and Tarragindi?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,607 from Greenslopes and $2,145 from Tarragindi to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Greenslopes and $192 from Tarragindi.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Greenslopes and Tarragindi?
At 3% annual cost growth, Greenslopes costs a cumulative $76,315 and Tarragindi costs $89,361 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $13,046 in favour of Greenslopes. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Greenslopes and Tarragindi 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.