Macgregor vs Sunnybank, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Macgregor and Sunnybank are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 11.6 km and 12.5 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Macgregor runs $421 a year cheaper than Sunnybank, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,827.
Over 10 years, Macgregor costs about $4,800 less to run than Sunnybank. That's about $9 a week.
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Sunnybank
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Macgregor | Sunnybank | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $950 | $950 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $3,465 | $3,686 | -$221 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,550 | $1,750 | -$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,600 | $2,800 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $7,865 | $8,286 | -$421 |
| Total (public transport) | $4,592 | $4,792 | -$200 |
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 | Macgregor | Sunnybank | 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, Macgregor vs Sunnybank (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Macgregor costs $421 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,827 in favour of Macgregor.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $221 per year. Sunnybank is 12.5 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $200 per year, $4,592 from Macgregor versus $4,792 from Sunnybank.
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 Macgregor by $221 a year, $3,465 against $3,686.
- Building insurance favours Macgregor by $200 a year, $1,550 against $1,750.
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.
The catchment state school scores 8.6 in Macgregor against 6.1 in Sunnybank, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Macgregor cumulative | Sunnybank cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,865 | $8,286 | $421 |
| Year 3 | $24,310 | $25,611 | $1,301 |
| Year 5 | $41,756 | $43,991 | $2,235 |
| Year 10 | $90,163 | $94,990 | $4,827 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Macgregor or Sunnybank cheaper to live in?
Macgregor is cheaper to run by car at $7,865 per year versus $8,286 for Sunnybank, a difference of $421 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Macgregor and Sunnybank?
Annual council rates for a house are $950 in Macgregor (Brisbane City Council) and $950 in Sunnybank (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Macgregor and $1,900 in Sunnybank. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Macgregor and Sunnybank?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,465 from Macgregor and $3,686 from Sunnybank to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Macgregor and $192 from Sunnybank.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Macgregor and Sunnybank?
At 3% annual cost growth, Macgregor costs a cumulative $90,163 and Sunnybank costs $94,990 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,827 in favour of Macgregor. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Macgregor and Sunnybank 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.