Rochedale 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
Rochedale (Brisbane City Council) and Rochedale South (Logan City Council) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Brisbane CBD (14.8 km and 17.8 km).
Rochedale runs $1,019 a year cheaper than Rochedale South, driven mostly by council rates. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $11,682.
Over 10 years, Rochedale costs about $11,700 less to run than Rochedale South — the same as paying $11,700 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Rochedale South
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Rochedale | Rochedale South | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $950 | $1,699 | -$749 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $2,149 | -$249 |
| Commute (driving) | $4,215 | $4,836 | -$621 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,800 | $2,200 | +$600 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,200 | +$100 |
| Total (driving) | $9,865 | $10,884 | -$1,019 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,842 | $6,240 | -$398 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Rochedale | 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 — Rochedale vs Rochedale South (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Rochedale costs $1,019 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $11,682 in favour of Rochedale.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $749 per year.
On public transport the gap is $398 per year, $5,842 from Rochedale versus $6,240 from Rochedale South.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Rochedale by $749 a year, $950 against $1,699.
- Water and sewerage favours Rochedale by $249 a year, $1,900 against $2,149.
- Driving commute favours Rochedale by $621 a year, $4,215 against $4,836.
- Building insurance favours Rochedale South by $600 a year, $2,200 against $2,800.
They sit in different council areas, so the rates line is set by two different councils. For QLD that figure is the minimum residential general rate for an owner-occupied principal place of residence, a floor rather than a typical bill.
Fire risk is rated high in Rochedale against medium in Rochedale South, which feeds the insurance estimate. The catchment state school scores 8.8 in Rochedale against 6.2 in Rochedale South, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Rochedale cumulative | Rochedale South cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,865 | $10,884 | $1,019 |
| Year 3 | $30,492 | $33,641 | $3,149 |
| Year 5 | $52,375 | $57,785 | $5,410 |
| Year 10 | $113,091 | $124,773 | $11,682 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Rochedale or Rochedale South cheaper to live in?
Rochedale is cheaper to run by car at $9,865 per year versus $10,884 for Rochedale South, a difference of $1,019 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Rochedale and Rochedale South?
Annual council rates for a house are $950 in Rochedale (Brisbane City Council) and $1,699 in Rochedale South (Logan City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Rochedale 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 Rochedale and Rochedale South?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,215 from Rochedale and $4,836 from Rochedale South to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Rochedale and $192 from Rochedale South.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Rochedale and Rochedale South?
At 3% annual cost growth, Rochedale costs a cumulative $113,091 and Rochedale South costs $124,773 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $11,682 in favour of Rochedale. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Rochedale 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: Brisbane 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.