Kelvin Grove vs Newmarket, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Kelvin Grove and Newmarket are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 2.7 km and 4.2 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Kelvin Grove runs $629 a year cheaper than Newmarket, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $7,211.
Over 10 years, Kelvin Grove costs about $7,200 less to run than Newmarket. That's about $14 a week.
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Newmarket
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Kelvin Grove | Newmarket | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $950 | $950 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $912 | $1,391 | -$479 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,000 | $2,150 | -$150 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $5,500 | $3,200 | +$2,300 |
| Total (driving) | $5,762 | $6,391 | -$629 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,042 | $5,192 | -$150 |
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 | Kelvin Grove | Newmarket | 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, Kelvin Grove vs Newmarket (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Kelvin Grove costs $629 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $7,211 in favour of Kelvin Grove.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $479 per year. Newmarket is 4.2 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, $5,042 and $5,192 a year, so the $629 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 Kelvin Grove by $479 a year, $912 against $1,391.
- Building insurance favours Kelvin Grove by $150 a year, $2,000 against $2,150.
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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Kelvin Grove cumulative | Newmarket cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $5,762 | $6,391 | $629 |
| Year 3 | $17,810 | $19,754 | $1,944 |
| Year 5 | $30,591 | $33,931 | $3,340 |
| Year 10 | $66,055 | $73,266 | $7,211 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kelvin Grove or Newmarket cheaper to live in?
Kelvin Grove is cheaper to run by car at $5,762 per year versus $6,391 for Newmarket, a difference of $629 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Kelvin Grove and Newmarket?
Annual council rates for a house are $950 in Kelvin Grove (Brisbane City Council) and $950 in Newmarket (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Kelvin Grove and $1,900 in Newmarket. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Kelvin Grove and Newmarket?
Annual driving commute costs are $912 from Kelvin Grove and $1,391 from Newmarket to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Kelvin Grove and $192 from Newmarket.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Kelvin Grove and Newmarket?
At 3% annual cost growth, Kelvin Grove costs a cumulative $66,055 and Newmarket costs $73,266 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $7,211 in favour of Kelvin Grove. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Kelvin Grove and Newmarket suits you better?
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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.