Kelvin Grove vs Red Hill: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Kelvin Grove and Red Hill are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 2.7 km and 3 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Kelvin Grove
Red Hill
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Kelvin Grove | Red Hill | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,519 | $1,519 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,824 | $1,824 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $228 | $253 | -$25 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,700 | $1,800 | -$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $5,500 | $3,800 | +$1,700 |
| Total (driving) | $5,271 | $5,396 | -$125 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,235 | $5,335 | -$100 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary.
Cost breakdown chart
Annual cost breakdown — Kelvin Grove vs Red Hill (2025-26)
What the numbers show
Kelvin Grove and Red Hill cost within $125 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,433, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $100 per year.
Public transport equalises the comparison: both suburbs pay a flat $192 annual PT fare, so the $125 driving gap narrows to $100 under PT. If you rely on public transport, the two suburbs cost almost the same to run annually.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Kelvin Grove cumulative | Red Hill cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $5,271 | $5,396 | $125 |
| Year 3 | $16,292 | $16,678 | $386 |
| Year 5 | $27,984 | $28,648 | $664 |
| Year 10 | $60,426 | $61,859 | $1,433 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kelvin Grove or Red Hill cheaper to live in?
Kelvin Grove is cheaper to run by car at $5,271 per year versus $5,396 for Red Hill — a difference of $125 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2025-26 data.
What are council rates in Kelvin Grove and Red Hill?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,519 in Kelvin Grove (Brisbane City Council 2025-26) and $1,519 in Red Hill (Brisbane City Council 2025-26). Water and sewerage adds $1,824 in Kelvin Grove and $1,824 in Red Hill.
How does the commute cost compare between Kelvin Grove and Red Hill?
Annual driving commute costs are $228 from Kelvin Grove and $253 from Red Hill to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km, 220 working days). Public transport costs $192 from Kelvin Grove and $192 from Red Hill.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Kelvin Grove and Red Hill?
At 3% annual cost growth, Kelvin Grove costs a cumulative $60,426 and Red Hill costs $61,859 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,433 in favour of Kelvin Grove. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Compare Kelvin Grove and Red Hill in the tool
The SuburbCost comparison tool shows the full annual cost breakdown for both suburbs side by side. Toggle between driving and public transport to see which suburb comes out ahead for your commuting pattern.
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Sources: Brisbane City Council and Brisbane City Council rate schedules 2025-26, Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater 2025-26, ATO 88c/km, SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2025.