Paddington vs Red Hill: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Paddington and Red Hill are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 2.9 km and 3 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $117 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 →Paddington
Red Hill
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Paddington | Red Hill | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $950 | $950 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $976 | $1,009 | -$33 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,950 | $1,800 | +$150 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $3,500 | $3,800 | -$300 |
| Total (driving) | $5,776 | $5,659 | +$117 |
| Total (public transport) | $4,992 | $4,842 | +$150 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Paddington | Red Hill | 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 — Paddington vs Red Hill (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Paddington and Red Hill cost within $117 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,341, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $150 per year.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $4,992 and $4,842 a year, so the $117 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 Paddington by $33 a year, $976 against $1,009.
- Building insurance favours Red Hill by $150 a year, $1,800 against $1,950.
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.
Fire risk is rated medium in Paddington against low in Red Hill, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Paddington cumulative | Red Hill cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $5,776 | $5,659 | $117 |
| Year 3 | $17,853 | $17,491 | $362 |
| Year 5 | $30,666 | $30,044 | $622 |
| Year 10 | $66,215 | $64,874 | $1,341 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Paddington or Red Hill cheaper to live in?
Red Hill is cheaper to run by car at $5,659 per year versus $5,776 for Paddington, a difference of $117 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Paddington and Red Hill?
Annual council rates for a house are $950 in Paddington (Brisbane City Council) and $950 in Red Hill (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Paddington and $1,900 in Red Hill. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Paddington and Red Hill?
Annual driving commute costs are $976 from Paddington and $1,009 from Red Hill to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Paddington and $192 from Red Hill.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Paddington and Red Hill?
At 3% annual cost growth, Paddington costs a cumulative $66,215 and Red Hill costs $64,874 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,341 in favour of Red Hill. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Paddington and Red Hill 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.