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 $1,169 a year cheaper than Rochedale South, driven mostly by council rates. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $13,401.
Over 10 years, Rochedale costs about $13,400 less to run than Rochedale South. That's about $26 a week.
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Rochedale South
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Rochedale | Rochedale South | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $950 | $1,699 | -$749 |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,900 | $2,149 | -$249 |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $4,215 | $4,836 | -$621 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,150 | $1,700 | +$450 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,300 | $2,200 | +$100 |
| Total (driving) | $9,215 | $10,384 | -$1,169 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,192 | $5,740 | -$548 |
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 | 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 $1,169 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $13,401 in favour of Rochedale.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $749 per year.
On public transport the gap is $548 per year, $5,192 from Rochedale versus $5,740 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 $450 a year, $1,700 against $2,150.
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 | $9,215 | $10,384 | $1,169 |
| Year 3 | $28,483 | $32,096 | $3,613 |
| Year 5 | $48,924 | $55,130 | $6,206 |
| Year 10 | $105,640 | $119,041 | $13,401 |
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 $9,215 per year versus $10,384 for Rochedale South, a difference of $1,169 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 $105,640 and Rochedale South costs $119,041 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $13,401 in favour of Rochedale. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Rochedale and Rochedale South suits you better?
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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 insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.