Jamboree Heights vs Sumner: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Jamboree Heights and Sumner are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 13.2 km and 14 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Jamboree Heights runs $1,534 a year cheaper than Sumner, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $17,585.
Over 10 years, Jamboree Heights costs about $17,600 less to run than Sumner — the same as paying $17,600 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 →Jamboree Heights
Sumner
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Jamboree Heights | Sumner | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $950 | $950 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,852 | $4,036 | -$184 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,750 | $3,100 | -$1,350 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,800 | $2,600 | +$200 |
| Total (driving) | $8,452 | $9,986 | -$1,534 |
| Total (public transport) | $4,792 | $6,142 | -$1,350 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Jamboree Heights | Sumner | 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 — Jamboree Heights vs Sumner (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Jamboree Heights costs $1,534 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $17,585 in favour of Jamboree Heights.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $1,350 per year. Sumner carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $1,350 per year, $4,792 from Jamboree Heights versus $6,142 from Sumner.
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 Jamboree Heights by $184 a year, $3,852 against $4,036.
- Building insurance favours Jamboree Heights by $1,350 a year, $1,750 against $3,100.
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 high in Sumner against low in Jamboree Heights, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated high in Sumner against low in Jamboree Heights, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Jamboree Heights cumulative | Sumner cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,452 | $9,986 | $1,534 |
| Year 3 | $26,124 | $30,866 | $4,742 |
| Year 5 | $44,873 | $53,017 | $8,144 |
| Year 10 | $96,893 | $114,478 | $17,585 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Jamboree Heights or Sumner cheaper to live in?
Jamboree Heights is cheaper to run by car at $8,452 per year versus $9,986 for Sumner, a difference of $1,534 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Jamboree Heights and Sumner?
Annual council rates for a house are $950 in Jamboree Heights (Brisbane City Council) and $950 in Sumner (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Jamboree Heights and $1,900 in Sumner. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Jamboree Heights and Sumner?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,852 from Jamboree Heights and $4,036 from Sumner to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Jamboree Heights and $192 from Sumner.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Jamboree Heights and Sumner?
At 3% annual cost growth, Jamboree Heights costs a cumulative $96,893 and Sumner costs $114,478 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $17,585 in favour of Jamboree Heights. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Jamboree Heights and Sumner 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: 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.