Harrisville vs Wilsons Plains: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Harrisville and Wilsons Plains are both Scenic Rim Regional Council suburbs, sitting 37.4 km and 37 km from Beaudesert CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Wilsons Plains runs $810 a year cheaper than Harrisville, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $9,286.
Over 10 years, Wilsons Plains costs about $9,300 less to run than Harrisville — the same as paying $9,300 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Harrisville
Wilsons Plains
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Harrisville | Wilsons Plains | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,376 | $1,376 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,959 | $6,949 | +$10 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,900 | $2,100 | +$800 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,600 | $1,900 | -$300 |
| Total (driving) | $13,135 | $12,325 | +$810 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,368 | $5,568 | +$800 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Harrisville | Wilsons Plains | 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 — Harrisville vs Wilsons Plains (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Wilsons Plains costs $810 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $9,286 in favour of Wilsons Plains.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $800 per year.
On public transport the gap is $800 per year, $6,368 from Harrisville versus $5,568 from Wilsons Plains.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,376 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,900 a year.
- Driving commute favours Wilsons Plains by $10 a year, $6,949 against $6,959.
- Building insurance favours Wilsons Plains 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.
Fire risk is rated high in Harrisville against medium in Wilsons Plains, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Harrisville cumulative | Wilsons Plains cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $13,135 | $12,325 | $810 |
| Year 3 | $40,599 | $38,095 | $2,504 |
| Year 5 | $69,735 | $65,435 | $4,300 |
| Year 10 | $150,578 | $141,292 | $9,286 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Harrisville or Wilsons Plains cheaper to live in?
Wilsons Plains is cheaper to run by car at $12,325 per year versus $13,135 for Harrisville, a difference of $810 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Harrisville and Wilsons Plains?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,376 in Harrisville (Scenic Rim Regional Council) and $1,376 in Wilsons Plains (Scenic Rim Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Harrisville and $1,900 in Wilsons Plains. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Harrisville and Wilsons Plains?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,959 from Harrisville and $6,949 from Wilsons Plains to Beaudesert CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Harrisville and $192 from Wilsons Plains.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Harrisville and Wilsons Plains?
At 3% annual cost growth, Harrisville costs a cumulative $150,578 and Wilsons Plains costs $141,292 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $9,286 in favour of Wilsons Plains. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Harrisville and Wilsons Plains 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: Scenic Rim Regional Council and Scenic Rim Regional 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.