Kedron vs Lutwyche: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Kedron and Lutwyche are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 7.3 km and 5.4 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Lutwyche runs $558 a year cheaper than Kedron, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,397.
Over 10 years these two cost about the same to run. The difference here isn't money — it's location, schools and lifestyle.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Kedron
Lutwyche
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Kedron | Lutwyche | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $950 | $950 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,318 | $1,760 | +$558 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,750 | $1,750 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,800 | $3,200 | -$400 |
| Total (driving) | $6,918 | $6,360 | +$558 |
| Total (public transport) | $4,792 | $4,792 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Kedron | Lutwyche | 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 — Kedron vs Lutwyche (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Lutwyche costs $558 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $6,397 in favour of Lutwyche.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $558 per year. Kedron is 7.3 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $4,792 and $4,792 a year, so the $558 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
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 Lutwyche by $558 a year, $1,760 against $2,318.
- Building insurance is identical at $1,750 a year.
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.
Flood risk is rated medium in Lutwyche against low in Kedron, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Kedron cumulative | Lutwyche cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $6,918 | $6,360 | $558 |
| Year 3 | $21,383 | $19,658 | $1,725 |
| Year 5 | $36,729 | $33,766 | $2,963 |
| Year 10 | $79,307 | $72,910 | $6,397 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kedron or Lutwyche cheaper to live in?
Lutwyche is cheaper to run by car at $6,360 per year versus $6,918 for Kedron, a difference of $558 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Kedron and Lutwyche?
Annual council rates for a house are $950 in Kedron (Brisbane City Council) and $950 in Lutwyche (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Kedron and $1,900 in Lutwyche. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Kedron and Lutwyche?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,318 from Kedron and $1,760 from Lutwyche to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Kedron and $192 from Lutwyche.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Kedron and Lutwyche?
At 3% annual cost growth, Kedron costs a cumulative $79,307 and Lutwyche costs $72,910 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,397 in favour of Lutwyche. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Kedron and Lutwyche 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.