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 $4,068 a year cheaper than Rocklea, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $46,635.
Over 10 years, Tennyson costs about $46,600 less to run than Rocklea — the same as paying $46,600 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Tennyson
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Rocklea | Tennyson | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $950 | $950 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,872 | $2,204 | +$668 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $5,500 | $2,100 | +$3,400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,800 | $2,900 | -$100 |
| Total (driving) | $11,222 | $7,154 | +$4,068 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,542 | $5,142 | +$3,400 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; 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 $4,068 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $46,635 in favour of Tennyson.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $3,400 per year. Rocklea carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $3,400 per year, $8,542 from Rocklea versus $5,142 from Tennyson.
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 $3,400 a year, $2,100 against $5,500.
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 | $11,222 | $7,154 | $4,068 |
| Year 3 | $34,686 | $22,112 | $12,574 |
| Year 5 | $59,579 | $37,982 | $21,597 |
| Year 10 | $128,648 | $82,013 | $46,635 |
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 $7,154 per year versus $11,222 for Rocklea, a difference of $4,068 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 $128,648 and Tennyson costs $82,013 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $46,635 in favour of Tennyson. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Rocklea and Tennyson 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 Brisbane 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.