Kedron vs Wavell Heights: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Kedron and Wavell Heights are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 7.3 km and 8.7 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Kedron runs $478 a year cheaper than Wavell Heights, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,479.
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
Wavell Heights
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Kedron | Wavell Heights | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,579 | $1,579 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,242 | $2,620 | -$378 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,750 | $1,850 | -$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,800 | $2,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $7,471 | $7,949 | -$478 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,421 | $5,521 | -$100 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Kedron | Wavell Heights | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $1,976 | $1,976 | - |
| Unit | $1,591 | $1,591 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2025 rates (QLD 30c/kWh, NSW 33c/kWh incl. supply charge; 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 Wavell Heights (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Kedron costs $478 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,479 in favour of Kedron.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $378 per year. Wavell Heights is 8.7 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $5,421 and $5,521 a year, so the $478 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Kedron cumulative | Wavell Heights cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,471 | $7,949 | $478 |
| Year 3 | $23,092 | $24,570 | $1,478 |
| Year 5 | $39,665 | $42,202 | $2,537 |
| Year 10 | $85,647 | $91,126 | $5,479 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kedron or Wavell Heights cheaper to live in?
Kedron is cheaper to run by car at $7,471 per year versus $7,949 for Wavell Heights, a difference of $478 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Kedron and Wavell Heights?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,579 in Kedron (Brisbane City Council) and $1,579 in Wavell Heights (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Kedron and $1,900 in Wavell Heights. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Kedron and Wavell Heights?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,242 from Kedron and $2,620 from Wavell Heights to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Kedron and $192 from Wavell Heights.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Kedron and Wavell Heights?
At 3% annual cost growth, Kedron costs a cumulative $85,647 and Wavell Heights costs $91,126 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,479 in favour of Kedron. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Kedron and Wavell Heights 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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.