Riverbend vs South Maclean, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Riverbend and South Maclean are both Logan City Council suburbs, sitting 40 km and 36.3 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $141 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 the gap between these two is about $1,600, about $3 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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South Maclean
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Riverbend | South Maclean | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,699 | $1,699 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,149 | $2,149 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,988 | $6,929 | +$59 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,100 | $2,300 | -$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,800 | $2,000 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $12,936 | $13,077 | -$141 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,140 | $6,340 | -$200 |
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 | Riverbend | South Maclean | 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, Riverbend vs South Maclean (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Riverbend and South Maclean differ by $141 a year by car, but $200 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 $59, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $200 per year.
On public transport the gap is $200 per year, $6,140 from Riverbend versus $6,340 from South Maclean.
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 South Maclean by $59 a year, $6,929 against $6,988.
- Building insurance favours Riverbend by $200 a year, $2,100 against $2,300.
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 | Riverbend cumulative | South Maclean cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,936 | $13,077 | $141 |
| Year 3 | $39,984 | $40,420 | $436 |
| Year 5 | $68,679 | $69,428 | $749 |
| Year 10 | $148,297 | $149,913 | $1,616 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Riverbend or South Maclean cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Riverbend runs $12,936 a year by car and South Maclean $13,077, but most of the $141 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $59. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Riverbend and South Maclean?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,699 in Riverbend (Logan City Council) and $1,699 in South Maclean (Logan City Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,149 in Riverbend and $2,149 in South Maclean. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Riverbend and South Maclean?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,988 from Riverbend and $6,929 from South Maclean to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Riverbend and $192 from South Maclean.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Riverbend and South Maclean?
At 3% annual cost growth, Riverbend costs a cumulative $148,297 and South Maclean costs $149,913 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,616 in favour of Riverbend. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Riverbend and South Maclean 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.