Rochedale South vs Springwood, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Rochedale South and Springwood are both Logan City Council suburbs, sitting 17.8 km and 20.1 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Rochedale South runs $873 a year cheaper than Springwood, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $10,008.
Over 10 years the gap between these two is about $10,000, about $19 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Springwood
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Rochedale South | Springwood | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,699 | $1,699 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,149 | $2,149 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $4,836 | $5,259 | -$423 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,700 | $2,150 | -$450 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,200 | $2,800 | -$600 |
| Total (driving) | $10,384 | $11,257 | -$873 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,740 | $6,190 | -$450 |
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 | Rochedale South | Springwood | 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, Rochedale South vs Springwood (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Rochedale South and Springwood differ by $873 a year by car, but $450 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 $423, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $450 per year.
On public transport the gap is $450 per year, $5,740 from Rochedale South versus $6,190 from Springwood.
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 $423 a year, $4,836 against $5,259.
- Building insurance favours Rochedale South by $450 a year, $1,700 against $2,150.
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 Springwood against medium in Rochedale South, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Rochedale South cumulative | Springwood cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,384 | $11,257 | $873 |
| Year 3 | $32,096 | $34,794 | $2,698 |
| Year 5 | $55,130 | $59,765 | $4,635 |
| Year 10 | $119,041 | $129,049 | $10,008 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Rochedale South or Springwood cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Rochedale South runs $10,384 a year by car and Springwood $11,257, but most of the $873 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $423. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Rochedale South and Springwood?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,699 in Rochedale South (Logan City Council) and $1,699 in Springwood (Logan City Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,149 in Rochedale South and $2,149 in Springwood. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Rochedale South and Springwood?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,836 from Rochedale South and $5,259 from Springwood to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Rochedale South and $192 from Springwood.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Rochedale South and Springwood?
At 3% annual cost growth, Rochedale South costs a cumulative $119,041 and Springwood costs $129,049 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $10,008 in favour of Rochedale South. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Rochedale South and Springwood 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.