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 $1,192 a year cheaper than Priestdale, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $13,665.
Over 10 years, Rochedale South costs about $13,700 less to run than Priestdale — the same as paying $13,700 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Rochedale South
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Priestdale | Rochedale South | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,699 | $1,699 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,149 | $2,149 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,328 | $4,836 | +$492 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,900 | $2,200 | +$700 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,400 | $2,200 | +$200 |
| Total (driving) | $12,076 | $10,884 | +$1,192 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,940 | $6,240 | +$700 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; 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
Rochedale South costs $1,192 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $13,665 in favour of Rochedale South.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $700 per year.
On public transport the gap is $700 per year, $6,940 from Priestdale versus $6,240 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 $700 a year, $2,200 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.
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 | $12,076 | $10,884 | $1,192 |
| Year 3 | $37,326 | $33,641 | $3,685 |
| Year 5 | $64,113 | $57,785 | $6,328 |
| Year 10 | $138,438 | $124,773 | $13,665 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Priestdale or Rochedale South cheaper to live in?
Rochedale South is cheaper to run by car at $10,884 per year versus $12,076 for Priestdale, a difference of $1,192 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. 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 $138,438 and Rochedale South costs $124,773 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $13,665 in favour of Rochedale South. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Priestdale and Rochedale South 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: 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 AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.