Petrie Terrace 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
Petrie Terrace and Red Hill are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 1.4 km and 3 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Petrie Terrace runs $395 a year cheaper than Red Hill, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,528.
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 →Petrie Terrace
Red Hill
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Petrie Terrace | Red Hill | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $950 | $950 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $514 | $1,009 | -$495 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,900 | $1,800 | +$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $5,000 | $3,800 | +$1,200 |
| Total (driving) | $5,264 | $5,659 | -$395 |
| Total (public transport) | $4,942 | $4,842 | +$100 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Petrie Terrace | 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 — Petrie Terrace vs Red Hill (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Petrie Terrace costs $395 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,528 in favour of Petrie Terrace.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $495 per year. Red Hill is 3 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 $4,842 a year, so the $395 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 Petrie Terrace by $495 a year, $514 against $1,009.
- Building insurance favours Red Hill by $100 a year, $1,800 against $1,900.
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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Petrie Terrace cumulative | Red Hill cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $5,264 | $5,659 | $395 |
| Year 3 | $16,270 | $17,491 | $1,221 |
| Year 5 | $27,947 | $30,044 | $2,097 |
| Year 10 | $60,346 | $64,874 | $4,528 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Petrie Terrace or Red Hill cheaper to live in?
Petrie Terrace is cheaper to run by car at $5,264 per year versus $5,659 for Red Hill, a difference of $395 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Petrie Terrace and Red Hill?
Annual council rates for a house are $950 in Petrie Terrace (Brisbane City Council) and $950 in Red Hill (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Petrie Terrace 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 Petrie Terrace and Red Hill?
Annual driving commute costs are $514 from Petrie Terrace and $1,009 from Red Hill to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Petrie Terrace and $192 from Red Hill.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Petrie Terrace and Red Hill?
At 3% annual cost growth, Petrie Terrace costs a cumulative $60,346 and Red Hill costs $64,874 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,528 in favour of Petrie Terrace. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Petrie Terrace 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.
Related comparisons
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.