Paddington vs West End, 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 West End are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 2.9 km and 2.4 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Paddington runs $1,688 a year cheaper than West End, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $19,351.
Over 10 years the gap between these two is about $19,400, about $37 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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West End
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Paddington | West End | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $950 | $950 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $976 | $814 | +$162 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,450 | $3,300 | -$1,850 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $3,500 | $5,500 | -$2,000 |
| Total (driving) | $5,276 | $6,964 | -$1,688 |
| Total (public transport) | $4,492 | $6,342 | -$1,850 |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Paddington | West End | 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 West End (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Paddington and West End differ by $1,688 a year by car, but $1,850 of that is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On the sourced costs, council rates, water and the commute, the gap is $162, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $1,850 per year. West End carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $1,850 per year, $4,492 from Paddington versus $6,342 from West End.
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 West End by $162 a year, $814 against $976.
- Building insurance favours Paddington by $1,850 a year, $1,450 against $3,300.
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 West End against low in Paddington, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated medium in Paddington against low in West End, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Paddington cumulative | West End cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $5,276 | $6,964 | $1,688 |
| Year 3 | $16,308 | $21,525 | $5,217 |
| Year 5 | $28,011 | $36,973 | $8,962 |
| Year 10 | $60,483 | $79,834 | $19,351 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Paddington or West End cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Paddington runs $5,276 a year by car and West End $6,964, but most of the $1,688 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $162. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Paddington and West End?
Annual council rates for a house are $950 in Paddington (Brisbane City Council) and $950 in West End (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Paddington and $1,900 in West End. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Paddington and West End?
Annual driving commute costs are $976 from Paddington and $814 from West End to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Paddington and $192 from West End.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Paddington and West End?
At 3% annual cost growth, Paddington costs a cumulative $60,483 and West End costs $79,834 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $19,351 in favour of Paddington. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Paddington and West End suits you better?
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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 insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.