Lytton vs Pinkenba, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Lytton and Pinkenba are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 14.1 km and 13.2 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Lytton runs $1,343 a year cheaper than Pinkenba, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $15,396.
Over 10 years the gap between these two is about $15,400, about $30 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Pinkenba
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Lytton | Pinkenba | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $950 | $950 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $4,059 | $3,852 | +$207 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,150 | $3,700 | -$1,550 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,800 | $2,400 | +$400 |
| Total (driving) | $9,059 | $10,402 | -$1,343 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,192 | $6,742 | -$1,550 |
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 | Lytton | Pinkenba | 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, Lytton vs Pinkenba (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Lytton and Pinkenba differ by $1,343 a year by car, but $1,550 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 $207, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $1,550 per year. Pinkenba carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $1,550 per year, $5,192 from Lytton versus $6,742 from Pinkenba.
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 Pinkenba by $207 a year, $3,852 against $4,059.
- Building insurance favours Lytton by $1,550 a year, $2,150 against $3,700.
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 | Lytton cumulative | Pinkenba cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,059 | $10,402 | $1,343 |
| Year 3 | $28,000 | $32,152 | $4,152 |
| Year 5 | $48,095 | $55,226 | $7,131 |
| Year 10 | $103,851 | $119,247 | $15,396 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lytton or Pinkenba cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Lytton runs $9,059 a year by car and Pinkenba $10,402, but most of the $1,343 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $207. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Lytton and Pinkenba?
Annual council rates for a house are $950 in Lytton (Brisbane City Council) and $950 in Pinkenba (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Lytton and $1,900 in Pinkenba. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Lytton and Pinkenba?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,059 from Lytton and $3,852 from Pinkenba to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Lytton and $192 from Pinkenba.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Lytton and Pinkenba?
At 3% annual cost growth, Lytton costs a cumulative $103,851 and Pinkenba costs $119,247 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $15,396 in favour of Lytton. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Lytton and Pinkenba 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.