Lytton vs Wynnum West: 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 Wynnum West are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 14.1 km and 12.7 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Lytton runs $474 a year cheaper than Wynnum West, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,434.
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 →Lytton
Wynnum West
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Lytton | Wynnum West | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $950 | $950 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,059 | $3,733 | +$326 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,100 | $2,900 | -$800 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,800 | $2,600 | +$200 |
| Total (driving) | $9,009 | $9,483 | -$474 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,142 | $5,942 | -$800 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Lytton | Wynnum West | 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 Wynnum West (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Lytton costs $474 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,434 in favour of Lytton.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $800 per year. Wynnum West carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $800 per year, $5,142 from Lytton versus $5,942 from Wynnum West.
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 Wynnum West by $326 a year, $3,733 against $4,059.
- Building insurance favours Lytton by $800 a year, $2,100 against $2,900.
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.
Flood risk is rated high in Lytton against medium in Wynnum West, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated high in Wynnum West against medium in Lytton, which feeds the insurance estimate. The catchment state school scores 6.5 in Lytton against 5.1 in Wynnum West, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Lytton cumulative | Wynnum West cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,009 | $9,483 | $474 |
| Year 3 | $27,846 | $29,311 | $1,465 |
| Year 5 | $47,830 | $50,347 | $2,517 |
| Year 10 | $103,278 | $108,712 | $5,434 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lytton or Wynnum West cheaper to live in?
Lytton is cheaper to run by car at $9,009 per year versus $9,483 for Wynnum West, a difference of $474 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Lytton and Wynnum West?
Annual council rates for a house are $950 in Lytton (Brisbane City Council) and $950 in Wynnum West (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Lytton and $1,900 in Wynnum West. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Lytton and Wynnum West?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,059 from Lytton and $3,733 from Wynnum West to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Lytton and $192 from Wynnum West.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Lytton and Wynnum West?
At 3% annual cost growth, Lytton costs a cumulative $103,278 and Wynnum West costs $108,712 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,434 in favour of Lytton. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Lytton and Wynnum West 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.
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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 AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.