Milton vs Petrie Terrace, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Milton and Petrie Terrace are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 2 km and 1.4 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $167 a year of each other to run, so running cost is a minor factor here. The decision comes down to schools, risk and lifestyle, all in the free report.
Over 10 years, Petrie Terrace costs about $1,900 less to run than Milton. That's about $4 a week.
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Petrie Terrace
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Milton | Petrie Terrace | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $950 | $950 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $681 | $514 | +$167 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,150 | $2,150 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $5,500 | $5,000 | +$500 |
| Total (driving) | $5,681 | $5,514 | +$167 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,192 | $5,192 | - |
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 | Milton | Petrie Terrace | 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, Milton vs Petrie Terrace (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Milton and Petrie Terrace cost within $167 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,914, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $167 per year. Milton is 2 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, $5,192 and $5,192 a year, so the $167 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
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 Petrie Terrace by $167 a year, $514 against $681.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,150 a year.
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.
Flood risk is rated medium in Milton against low in Petrie Terrace, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Milton cumulative | Petrie Terrace cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $5,681 | $5,514 | $167 |
| Year 3 | $17,559 | $17,043 | $516 |
| Year 5 | $30,161 | $29,275 | $886 |
| Year 10 | $65,126 | $63,212 | $1,914 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Milton or Petrie Terrace cheaper to live in?
Petrie Terrace is cheaper to run by car at $5,514 per year versus $5,681 for Milton, a difference of $167 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Milton and Petrie Terrace?
Annual council rates for a house are $950 in Milton (Brisbane City Council) and $950 in Petrie Terrace (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Milton and $1,900 in Petrie Terrace. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Milton and Petrie Terrace?
Annual driving commute costs are $681 from Milton and $514 from Petrie Terrace to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Milton and $192 from Petrie Terrace.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Milton and Petrie Terrace?
At 3% annual cost growth, Milton costs a cumulative $65,126 and Petrie Terrace costs $63,212 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,914 in favour of Petrie Terrace. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Milton and Petrie Terrace 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.