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 $788 a year cheaper than West End, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $9,034.
Over 10 years, Paddington costs about $9,000 less to run than West End — the same as paying $9,000 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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West End
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Paddington | West End | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $950 | $950 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $976 | $814 | +$162 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,950 | $2,900 | -$950 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $3,500 | $5,500 | -$2,000 |
| Total (driving) | $5,776 | $6,564 | -$788 |
| Total (public transport) | $4,992 | $5,942 | -$950 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; 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 costs $788 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $9,034 in favour of Paddington.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $950 per year. West End carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $950 per year, $4,992 from Paddington versus $5,942 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 $950 a year, $1,950 against $2,900.
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 | $5,776 | $6,564 | $788 |
| Year 3 | $17,853 | $20,289 | $2,436 |
| Year 5 | $30,666 | $34,849 | $4,183 |
| Year 10 | $66,215 | $75,249 | $9,034 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Paddington or West End cheaper to live in?
Paddington is cheaper to run by car at $5,776 per year versus $6,564 for West End, a difference of $788 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. 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 $66,215 and West End costs $75,249 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $9,034 in favour of Paddington. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Paddington and West End 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.