Rosewood vs Thagoona: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Rosewood and Thagoona are both Ipswich City Council suburbs, sitting 46.6 km and 42.5 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Rosewood runs $358 a year cheaper than Thagoona, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,104.
Over 10 years these two cost about the same to run. The difference here isn't money — it's location, schools and lifestyle.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Rosewood
Thagoona
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Rosewood | Thagoona | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,298 | $1,298 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,574 | $6,732 | -$158 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,000 | $3,200 | -$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,600 | $1,800 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $12,772 | $13,130 | -$358 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,390 | $6,590 | -$200 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Rosewood | Thagoona | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $1,976 | $1,976 | - |
| Unit | $1,591 | $1,591 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2025 rates (QLD 30c/kWh, NSW 33c/kWh incl. supply charge; unit ≈ 75% of a house). Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Cost breakdown chart
Annual cost breakdown — Rosewood vs Thagoona (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Rosewood costs $358 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,104 in favour of Rosewood.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $200 per year.
On public transport the gap is $200 per year, $6,390 from Rosewood versus $6,590 from Thagoona.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Rosewood cumulative | Thagoona cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,772 | $13,130 | $358 |
| Year 3 | $39,477 | $40,584 | $1,107 |
| Year 5 | $67,808 | $69,709 | $1,901 |
| Year 10 | $146,417 | $150,521 | $4,104 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Rosewood or Thagoona cheaper to live in?
Rosewood is cheaper to run by car at $12,772 per year versus $13,130 for Thagoona, a difference of $358 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Rosewood and Thagoona?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,298 in Rosewood (Ipswich City Council) and $1,298 in Thagoona (Ipswich City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Rosewood and $1,900 in Thagoona. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Rosewood and Thagoona?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,574 from Rosewood and $6,732 from Thagoona to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Rosewood and $192 from Thagoona.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Rosewood and Thagoona?
At 3% annual cost growth, Rosewood costs a cumulative $146,417 and Thagoona costs $150,521 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,104 in favour of Rosewood. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Rosewood and Thagoona 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.
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Sources: Ipswich City Council and Ipswich City Council rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.