Stafford vs Stafford Heights, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Stafford and Stafford Heights are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 6.9 km and 8.2 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Stafford runs $318 a year cheaper than Stafford Heights, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,646.
Over 10 years, Stafford costs about $3,600 less to run than Stafford Heights. That's about $7 a week.
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Stafford Heights
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Stafford | Stafford Heights | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $950 | $950 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,204 | $2,572 | -$368 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,250 | $2,200 | +$50 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,800 | $2,700 | +$100 |
| Total (driving) | $7,304 | $7,622 | -$318 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,292 | $5,242 | +$50 |
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 | Stafford | Stafford Heights | 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, Stafford vs Stafford Heights (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Stafford costs $318 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,646 in favour of Stafford.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $368 per year. Stafford Heights is 8.2 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, $5,292 and $5,242 a year, so the $318 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 Stafford by $368 a year, $2,204 against $2,572.
- Building insurance favours Stafford Heights by $50 a year, $2,200 against $2,250.
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 medium in Stafford against low in Stafford Heights, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Stafford cumulative | Stafford Heights cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,304 | $7,622 | $318 |
| Year 3 | $22,576 | $23,559 | $983 |
| Year 5 | $38,778 | $40,466 | $1,688 |
| Year 10 | $83,732 | $87,378 | $3,646 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Stafford or Stafford Heights cheaper to live in?
Stafford is cheaper to run by car at $7,304 per year versus $7,622 for Stafford Heights, a difference of $318 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Stafford and Stafford Heights?
Annual council rates for a house are $950 in Stafford (Brisbane City Council) and $950 in Stafford Heights (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Stafford and $1,900 in Stafford Heights. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Stafford and Stafford Heights?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,204 from Stafford and $2,572 from Stafford Heights to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Stafford and $192 from Stafford Heights.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Stafford and Stafford Heights?
At 3% annual cost growth, Stafford costs a cumulative $83,732 and Stafford Heights costs $87,378 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,646 in favour of Stafford. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Stafford and Stafford Heights 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.