Rocklea vs Tennyson, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Rocklea and Tennyson are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 9.3 km and 6.9 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Tennyson runs $818 a year cheaper than Rocklea, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $9,378.
Over 10 years, Tennyson costs about $9,400 less to run than Rocklea. That's about $18 a week.
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Tennyson
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Rocklea | Tennyson | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $950 | $950 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,872 | $2,204 | +$668 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,450 | $2,300 | +$150 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,800 | $2,900 | -$100 |
| Total (driving) | $8,172 | $7,354 | +$818 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,492 | $5,342 | +$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 | Rocklea | Tennyson | 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, Rocklea vs Tennyson (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Tennyson costs $818 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $9,378 in favour of Tennyson.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $668 per year. Rocklea is 9.3 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $5,492 and $5,342 a year, so the $818 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $950 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,900 a year.
- Driving commute favours Tennyson by $668 a year, $2,204 against $2,872.
- Building insurance favours Tennyson by $150 a year, $2,300 against $2,450.
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.
Flood risk is rated high in Rocklea against low in Tennyson, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated high in Rocklea against medium in Tennyson, which feeds the insurance estimate. The catchment state school scores 9.5 in Tennyson against 5.1 in Rocklea, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Rocklea cumulative | Tennyson cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,172 | $7,354 | $818 |
| Year 3 | $25,259 | $22,730 | $2,529 |
| Year 5 | $43,386 | $39,043 | $4,343 |
| Year 10 | $93,683 | $84,305 | $9,378 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Rocklea or Tennyson cheaper to live in?
Tennyson is cheaper to run by car at $7,354 per year versus $8,172 for Rocklea, a difference of $818 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Rocklea and Tennyson?
Annual council rates for a house are $950 in Rocklea (Brisbane City Council) and $950 in Tennyson (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Rocklea and $1,900 in Tennyson. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Rocklea and Tennyson?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,872 from Rocklea and $2,204 from Tennyson to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Rocklea and $192 from Tennyson.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Rocklea and Tennyson?
At 3% annual cost growth, Rocklea costs a cumulative $93,683 and Tennyson costs $84,305 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $9,378 in favour of Tennyson. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Rocklea and Tennyson suits you better?
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Sources: Brisbane City Council and Brisbane 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.