Priestdale vs Rochedale South, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Priestdale and Rochedale South are both Logan City Council suburbs, sitting 20.5 km and 17.8 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Rochedale South runs $1,042 a year cheaper than Priestdale, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $11,945.
Over 10 years the gap between these two is about $11,900, about $23 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Rochedale South
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Priestdale | Rochedale South | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,699 | $1,699 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,149 | $2,149 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $5,328 | $4,836 | +$492 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,250 | $1,700 | +$550 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,400 | $2,200 | +$200 |
| Total (driving) | $11,426 | $10,384 | +$1,042 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,290 | $5,740 | +$550 |
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 | Priestdale | Rochedale South | 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, Priestdale vs Rochedale South (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Priestdale and Rochedale South differ by $1,042 a year by car, but $550 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 $492, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $550 per year.
On public transport the gap is $550 per year, $6,290 from Priestdale versus $5,740 from Rochedale South.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,699 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $2,149 a year.
- Driving commute favours Rochedale South by $492 a year, $4,836 against $5,328.
- Building insurance favours Rochedale South by $550 a year, $1,700 against $2,250.
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 high in Priestdale against medium in Rochedale South, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Priestdale cumulative | Rochedale South cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,426 | $10,384 | $1,042 |
| Year 3 | $35,317 | $32,096 | $3,221 |
| Year 5 | $60,662 | $55,130 | $5,532 |
| Year 10 | $130,986 | $119,041 | $11,945 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Priestdale or Rochedale South cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Priestdale runs $11,426 a year by car and Rochedale South $10,384, but most of the $1,042 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $492. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Priestdale and Rochedale South?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,699 in Priestdale (Logan City Council) and $1,699 in Rochedale South (Logan City Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,149 in Priestdale and $2,149 in Rochedale South. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Priestdale and Rochedale South?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,328 from Priestdale and $4,836 from Rochedale South to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Priestdale and $192 from Rochedale South.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Priestdale and Rochedale South?
At 3% annual cost growth, Priestdale costs a cumulative $130,986 and Rochedale South costs $119,041 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $11,945 in favour of Rochedale South. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Priestdale and Rochedale South suits you better?
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Sources: Logan City Council and Logan 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.