Meadowbrook vs Slacks Creek, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Meadowbrook and Slacks Creek are both Logan City Council suburbs, sitting 24.6 km and 21.9 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Slacks Creek runs $345 a year cheaper than Meadowbrook, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,955.
Over 10 years, Slacks Creek costs about $4,000 less to run than Meadowbrook. That's about $8 a week.
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Slacks Creek
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Meadowbrook | Slacks Creek | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,699 | $1,699 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,149 | $2,149 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $5,953 | $5,558 | +$395 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,200 | $2,250 | -$50 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,600 | $2,800 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $12,001 | $11,656 | +$345 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,240 | $6,290 | -$50 |
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 | Meadowbrook | Slacks Creek | 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, Meadowbrook vs Slacks Creek (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Slacks Creek costs $345 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,955 in favour of Slacks Creek.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $395 per year. Meadowbrook is 24.6 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, $6,240 and $6,290 a year, so the $345 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,699 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $2,149 a year.
- Driving commute favours Slacks Creek by $395 a year, $5,558 against $5,953.
- Building insurance favours Meadowbrook by $50 a year, $2,200 against $2,250.
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 4.5 in Meadowbrook against 3.1 in Slacks Creek, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Meadowbrook cumulative | Slacks Creek cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,001 | $11,656 | $345 |
| Year 3 | $37,094 | $36,028 | $1,066 |
| Year 5 | $63,715 | $61,883 | $1,832 |
| Year 10 | $137,578 | $133,623 | $3,955 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Meadowbrook or Slacks Creek cheaper to live in?
Slacks Creek is cheaper to run by car at $11,656 per year versus $12,001 for Meadowbrook, a difference of $345 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Meadowbrook and Slacks Creek?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,699 in Meadowbrook (Logan City Council) and $1,699 in Slacks Creek (Logan City Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,149 in Meadowbrook and $2,149 in Slacks Creek. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Meadowbrook and Slacks Creek?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,953 from Meadowbrook and $5,558 from Slacks Creek to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Meadowbrook and $192 from Slacks Creek.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Meadowbrook and Slacks Creek?
At 3% annual cost growth, Meadowbrook costs a cumulative $137,578 and Slacks Creek costs $133,623 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,955 in favour of Slacks Creek. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Meadowbrook and Slacks Creek suits you better?
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Sources: Logan City Council and Logan 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.