Moggill vs Redbank: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Moggill (Brisbane City Council) and Redbank (Ipswich City Council) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Brisbane CBD (19 km and 21 km).
Moggill runs $597 a year cheaper than Redbank, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,844.
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 →Moggill
Redbank
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Moggill | Redbank | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $950 | $1,298 | -$348 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,063 | $5,412 | -$349 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,000 | $2,900 | +$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,400 | $2,200 | +$200 |
| Total (driving) | $10,913 | $11,510 | -$597 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,042 | $6,290 | -$248 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Moggill | Redbank | 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 — Moggill vs Redbank (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Moggill costs $597 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $6,844 in favour of Moggill.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $349 per year. Redbank is 21 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $248 per year, $6,042 from Moggill versus $6,290 from Redbank.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Moggill by $348 a year, $950 against $1,298.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,900 a year.
- Driving commute favours Moggill by $349 a year, $5,063 against $5,412.
- Building insurance favours Redbank by $100 a year, $2,900 against $3,000.
They sit in different council areas, so the rates line is set by two different councils. For QLD that figure is the minimum residential general rate for an owner-occupied principal place of residence, a floor rather than a typical bill.
Flood risk is rated high in Moggill against low in Redbank, which feeds the insurance estimate. The catchment state school scores 8.5 in Moggill against 3.4 in Redbank, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Moggill cumulative | Redbank cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,913 | $11,510 | $597 |
| Year 3 | $33,731 | $35,576 | $1,845 |
| Year 5 | $57,939 | $61,108 | $3,169 |
| Year 10 | $125,105 | $131,949 | $6,844 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Moggill or Redbank cheaper to live in?
Moggill is cheaper to run by car at $10,913 per year versus $11,510 for Redbank, a difference of $597 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Moggill and Redbank?
Annual council rates for a house are $950 in Moggill (Brisbane City Council) and $1,298 in Redbank (Ipswich City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Moggill and $1,900 in Redbank. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Moggill and Redbank?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,063 from Moggill and $5,412 from Redbank to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Moggill and $192 from Redbank.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Moggill and Redbank?
At 3% annual cost growth, Moggill costs a cumulative $125,105 and Redbank costs $131,949 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,844 in favour of Moggill. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Moggill and Redbank 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 Ipswich 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.