Rochedale South vs Underwood, 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 Underwood are both Logan City Council suburbs, sitting 17.8 km and 17.6 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $189 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 $2,200, about $4 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Underwood
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Rochedale South | Underwood | 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 | $4,797 | +$39 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,700 | $1,550 | +$150 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,200 | $2,800 | -$600 |
| Total (driving) | $10,384 | $10,195 | +$189 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,740 | $5,590 | +$150 |
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 | Underwood | 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 Underwood (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Rochedale South and Underwood differ by $189 a year by car, but $150 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 $39, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $150 per year.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $5,740 and $5,590 a year, so the $189 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
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 Underwood by $39 a year, $4,797 against $4,836.
- Building insurance favours Underwood by $150 a year, $1,550 against $1,700.
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 | Rochedale South cumulative | Underwood cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,384 | $10,195 | $189 |
| Year 3 | $32,096 | $31,512 | $584 |
| Year 5 | $55,130 | $54,127 | $1,003 |
| Year 10 | $119,041 | $116,874 | $2,167 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Rochedale South or Underwood cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Rochedale South runs $10,384 a year by car and Underwood $10,195, but most of the $189 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $39. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Rochedale South and Underwood?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,699 in Rochedale South (Logan City Council) and $1,699 in Underwood (Logan City Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,149 in Rochedale South and $2,149 in Underwood. 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 Underwood?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,836 from Rochedale South and $4,797 from Underwood to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Rochedale South and $192 from Underwood.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Rochedale South and Underwood?
At 3% annual cost growth, Rochedale South costs a cumulative $119,041 and Underwood costs $116,874 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,167 in favour of Underwood. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Rochedale South and Underwood 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.