Nathan vs Salisbury: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Nathan and Salisbury are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 9.2 km and 8.9 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Nathan runs $2,319 a year cheaper than Salisbury, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $26,584.
Over 10 years, Nathan costs about $26,600 less to run than Salisbury — the same as paying $26,600 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Salisbury
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Nathan | Salisbury | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $950 | $950 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,845 | $2,764 | +$81 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,800 | $5,200 | -$2,400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,800 | $3,000 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $8,495 | $10,814 | -$2,319 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,842 | $8,242 | -$2,400 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Nathan | Salisbury | 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 — Nathan vs Salisbury (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Nathan costs $2,319 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $26,584 in favour of Nathan.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $2,400 per year. Salisbury carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $2,400 per year, $5,842 from Nathan versus $8,242 from Salisbury.
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 Salisbury by $81 a year, $2,764 against $2,845.
- Building insurance favours Nathan by $2,400 a year, $2,800 against $5,200.
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.
Flood risk is rated high in Salisbury against low in Nathan, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated high in Nathan against medium in Salisbury, which feeds the insurance estimate. The catchment state school scores 9.2 in Nathan against 7.5 in Salisbury, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Nathan cumulative | Salisbury cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,495 | $10,814 | $2,319 |
| Year 3 | $26,257 | $33,425 | $7,168 |
| Year 5 | $45,101 | $57,413 | $12,312 |
| Year 10 | $97,386 | $123,970 | $26,584 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Nathan or Salisbury cheaper to live in?
Nathan is cheaper to run by car at $8,495 per year versus $10,814 for Salisbury, a difference of $2,319 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Nathan and Salisbury?
Annual council rates for a house are $950 in Nathan (Brisbane City Council) and $950 in Salisbury (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Nathan and $1,900 in Salisbury. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Nathan and Salisbury?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,845 from Nathan and $2,764 from Salisbury to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Nathan and $192 from Salisbury.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Nathan and Salisbury?
At 3% annual cost growth, Nathan costs a cumulative $97,386 and Salisbury costs $123,970 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $26,584 in favour of Nathan. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Nathan and Salisbury 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 Brisbane 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.