Nathan vs Robertson: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Nathan and Robertson are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 9.2 km and 11.1 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Robertson runs $421 a year cheaper than Nathan, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,826.
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 →Nathan
Robertson
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Nathan | Robertson | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,579 | $1,579 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,751 | $3,230 | -$479 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,800 | $1,900 | +$900 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,800 | $2,400 | +$400 |
| Total (driving) | $9,030 | $8,609 | +$421 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,471 | $5,571 | +$900 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Nathan | Robertson | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $1,976 | $1,976 | - |
| Unit | $1,591 | $1,591 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2025 rates (QLD 30c/kWh, NSW 33c/kWh incl. supply charge; unit ≈ 75% of a house). Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Cost breakdown chart
Annual cost breakdown — Nathan vs Robertson (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Robertson costs $421 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,826 in favour of Robertson.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $900 per year.
On public transport the gap is $900 per year, $6,471 from Nathan versus $5,571 from Robertson.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Nathan cumulative | Robertson cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,030 | $8,609 | $421 |
| Year 3 | $27,911 | $26,610 | $1,301 |
| Year 5 | $47,941 | $45,706 | $2,235 |
| Year 10 | $103,519 | $98,693 | $4,826 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Nathan or Robertson cheaper to live in?
Robertson is cheaper to run by car at $8,609 per year versus $9,030 for Nathan, a difference of $421 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Nathan and Robertson?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,579 in Nathan (Brisbane City Council) and $1,579 in Robertson (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Nathan and $1,900 in Robertson. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Nathan and Robertson?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,751 from Nathan and $3,230 from Robertson to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Nathan and $192 from Robertson.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Nathan and Robertson?
At 3% annual cost growth, Nathan costs a cumulative $103,519 and Robertson costs $98,693 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,826 in favour of Robertson. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Nathan and Robertson 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.
Related comparisons
Sources: Brisbane City Council and Brisbane City Council rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.