Sumner vs Wacol: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Sumner and Wacol are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 14 km and 16.6 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $262 a year of each other to run, so running cost is a minor factor here. The decision comes down to schools, risk and lifestyle, all in the free report.
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 →Sumner
Wacol
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Sumner | Wacol | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $950 | $950 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,036 | $4,598 | -$562 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,100 | $2,800 | +$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,600 | $2,300 | +$300 |
| Total (driving) | $9,986 | $10,248 | -$262 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,142 | $5,842 | +$300 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Sumner | Wacol | 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 — Sumner vs Wacol (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Sumner and Wacol cost within $262 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $3,004, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $562 per year. Wacol is 16.6 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $6,142 from Sumner versus $5,842 from Wacol.
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 Sumner by $562 a year, $4,036 against $4,598.
- Building insurance favours Wacol by $300 a year, $2,800 against $3,100.
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 Sumner against medium in Wacol, which feeds the insurance estimate. The catchment state school scores 8.6 in Sumner against 3.6 in Wacol, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Sumner cumulative | Wacol cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,986 | $10,248 | $262 |
| Year 3 | $30,866 | $31,676 | $810 |
| Year 5 | $53,017 | $54,408 | $1,391 |
| Year 10 | $114,478 | $117,482 | $3,004 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Sumner or Wacol cheaper to live in?
Sumner is cheaper to run by car at $9,986 per year versus $10,248 for Wacol, a difference of $262 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Sumner and Wacol?
Annual council rates for a house are $950 in Sumner (Brisbane City Council) and $950 in Wacol (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Sumner and $1,900 in Wacol. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Sumner and Wacol?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,036 from Sumner and $4,598 from Wacol to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Sumner and $192 from Wacol.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Sumner and Wacol?
At 3% annual cost growth, Sumner costs a cumulative $114,478 and Wacol costs $117,482 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,004 in favour of Sumner. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Sumner and Wacol 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: 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.