Patrick Estate vs Wivenhoe Pocket: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Patrick Estate and Wivenhoe Pocket are both Somerset Regional Council suburbs, sitting 25.6 km and 29.2 km from Esk CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $104 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 →Patrick Estate
Wivenhoe Pocket
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Patrick Estate | Wivenhoe Pocket | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,284 | $1,284 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,084 | $6,480 | -$396 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,400 | $2,900 | +$500 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,400 | $1,400 | - |
| Total (driving) | $12,668 | $12,564 | +$104 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,776 | $6,276 | +$500 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Patrick Estate | Wivenhoe Pocket | 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 — Patrick Estate vs Wivenhoe Pocket (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Patrick Estate and Wivenhoe Pocket cost within $104 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,192, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $500 per year.
On public transport the gap is $500 per year, $6,776 from Patrick Estate versus $6,276 from Wivenhoe Pocket.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,284 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,900 a year.
- Driving commute favours Patrick Estate by $396 a year, $6,084 against $6,480.
- Building insurance favours Wivenhoe Pocket by $500 a year, $2,900 against $3,400.
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.
The catchment state school scores 5.3 in Wivenhoe Pocket against 2.4 in Patrick Estate, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Patrick Estate cumulative | Wivenhoe Pocket cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,668 | $12,564 | $104 |
| Year 3 | $39,156 | $38,834 | $322 |
| Year 5 | $67,256 | $66,704 | $552 |
| Year 10 | $145,224 | $144,032 | $1,192 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Patrick Estate or Wivenhoe Pocket cheaper to live in?
Wivenhoe Pocket is cheaper to run by car at $12,564 per year versus $12,668 for Patrick Estate, a difference of $104 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Patrick Estate and Wivenhoe Pocket?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,284 in Patrick Estate (Somerset Regional Council) and $1,284 in Wivenhoe Pocket (Somerset Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Patrick Estate and $1,900 in Wivenhoe Pocket. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Patrick Estate and Wivenhoe Pocket?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,084 from Patrick Estate and $6,480 from Wivenhoe Pocket to Esk CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Patrick Estate and $192 from Wivenhoe Pocket.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Patrick Estate and Wivenhoe Pocket?
At 3% annual cost growth, Patrick Estate costs a cumulative $145,224 and Wivenhoe Pocket costs $144,032 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,192 in favour of Wivenhoe Pocket. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Patrick Estate and Wivenhoe Pocket 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.
Related comparisons
Sources: Somerset Regional Council and Somerset Regional 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.