Hawthorne vs Bulimba
Annual running cost comparison for Brisbane home buyers · 2025–26 data
Data updated July 2025 · Council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance
Annual running cost breakdown
| Cost component | Hawthorne | Bulimba |
|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,519 | $1,519 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,824 | $1,824 |
| Annual commute (driving) | $287 | $346 |
| Home insurance (estimated) | $1,900 | $1,850 |
| Total annual cost | $5,530 | $5,539 |
| Distance to CBD | 3.4 km | 4.1 km |
Teal = lower cost. Council rates from Brisbane City Council 2025-26 and Brisbane City Council 2025-26. Commute uses ATO 88c/km over ABS annual kilometres by location class. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary.
Cost breakdown detail
Both suburbs fall under Brisbane City Council 2025-26, paying the same general rate of $1,519 per year.
Driving commute costs are similar: $287 per year from Hawthorne and $346 from Bulimba to Brisbane CBD.
Schools and risk profile
| Factor | Hawthorne | Bulimba |
|---|---|---|
| School score (ICSEA) | 7.7/10 | 9.0/10 |
| Nearest state primary | Morningside State School | Bulimba State School |
| Nearest private school | Sts Peter and Paul's School | Sts Peter and Paul's School |
| Flood risk | Low | Low |
| Fire risk | Low | Low |
Bulimba has the stronger school profile at 9.0/10 versus 7.7/10 for Hawthorne (ICSEA scale, higher = better). Nearest state primaries: Morningside State School (Hawthorne) and Bulimba State School (Bulimba).
Both suburbs share low flood risk and low fire risk according to Queensland government mapping.
Who each suburb suits
- Buyers watching costs: Hawthorne saves $9 per year
- City commuters: 3.4 km to CBD vs 4.1 km
- Families prioritising school scores: 9.0/10
Frequently asked questions
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Which is cheaper to live in, Hawthorne or Bulimba?
Hawthorne and Bulimba are within $9 of each other annually for a house. At that margin, commute direction and school scores will drive the decision more than running cost.
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How far is Hawthorne from Brisbane CBD compared to Bulimba?
Hawthorne is 3.4 km from Brisbane CBD. Bulimba is 4.1 km from Brisbane CBD. Annual driving commute costs are $287 and $346 respectively, using the ATO 88 cents per kilometre rate over standard working days.
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Which suburb has better schools, Hawthorne or Bulimba?
Bulimba rates higher on ICSEA school quality data at 9.0/10 versus 7.7/10 for Hawthorne. The nearest state primary in Hawthorne is Morningside State School; in Bulimba it is Bulimba State School. Source: ACARA ICSEA 2025.
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What are the flood and fire risks in Hawthorne versus Bulimba?
Hawthorne has low flood risk and low fire risk. Bulimba has low flood risk and low fire risk. Source: Queensland Globe flood mapping and QFES bushfire prone land data.
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What are council rates in Hawthorne compared to Bulimba?
Annual council rates for a house in Hawthorne are $1,519 (Brisbane City Council 2025-26). In Bulimba the rate is $1,519 (Brisbane City Council 2025-26). Water and sewerage charges add $1,824 in Hawthorne and $1,824 in Bulimba per year.
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Is Hawthorne or Bulimba better for families?
Bulimba scores higher on schools at 9.0/10 versus 7.7/10. Hawthorne has lower combined flood and fire risk. Those two factors point in different directions for this pair.
Individual suburb profiles
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