Newstead vs Teneriffe: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Newstead and Teneriffe are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 3.1 km and 2.7 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $29 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 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 →Newstead
Teneriffe
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Newstead | Teneriffe | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $950 | $950 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $1,041 | $912 | +$129 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,900 | $2,000 | -$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $4,800 | $5,500 | -$700 |
| Total (driving) | $5,791 | $5,762 | +$29 |
| Total (public transport) | $4,942 | $5,042 | -$100 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Newstead | Teneriffe | 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 — Newstead vs Teneriffe (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Newstead and Teneriffe cost within $29 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $332, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $129 per year. Newstead is 3.1 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, $4,942 and $5,042 a year, so the $29 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 Teneriffe by $129 a year, $912 against $1,041.
- Building insurance favours Newstead by $100 a year, $1,900 against $2,000.
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 medium in Teneriffe against low in Newstead, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Newstead cumulative | Teneriffe cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $5,791 | $5,762 | $29 |
| Year 3 | $17,899 | $17,810 | $89 |
| Year 5 | $30,745 | $30,591 | $154 |
| Year 10 | $66,387 | $66,055 | $332 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Newstead or Teneriffe cheaper to live in?
Teneriffe is cheaper to run by car at $5,762 per year versus $5,791 for Newstead, a difference of $29 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Newstead and Teneriffe?
Annual council rates for a house are $950 in Newstead (Brisbane City Council) and $950 in Teneriffe (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Newstead and $1,900 in Teneriffe. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Newstead and Teneriffe?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,041 from Newstead and $912 from Teneriffe to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Newstead and $192 from Teneriffe.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Newstead and Teneriffe?
At 3% annual cost growth, Newstead costs a cumulative $66,387 and Teneriffe costs $66,055 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $332 in favour of Teneriffe. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Newstead and Teneriffe 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.