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 $1,134 a year cheaper than Sumner, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $13,000.
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.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict → Personalise this comparison with your own commute, home type and loan → Neither quite right? Find the Brisbane suburbs that fit your budget →Jamboree Heights
Sumner
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Jamboree Heights | Sumner | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $950 | $950 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $3,852 | $4,036 | -$184 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,300 | $2,250 | -$950 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,800 | $2,600 | +$200 |
| Total (driving) | $8,002 | $9,136 | -$1,134 |
| Total (public transport) | $4,342 | $5,292 | -$950 |
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 | 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 and Sumner differ by $1,134 a year by car, but $950 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 $184, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $950 per year. Sumner carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $950 per year, $4,342 from Jamboree Heights versus $5,292 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 $950 a year, $1,300 against $2,250.
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 | $8,002 | $9,136 | $1,134 |
| Year 3 | $24,733 | $28,238 | $3,505 |
| Year 5 | $42,484 | $48,504 | $6,020 |
| Year 10 | $91,734 | $104,734 | $13,000 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Jamboree Heights or Sumner cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Jamboree Heights runs $8,002 a year by car and Sumner $9,136, but most of the $1,134 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $184. 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 $91,734 and Sumner costs $104,734 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $13,000 in favour of Jamboree Heights. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Jamboree Heights and Sumner suits you better?
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 insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.