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Sunnybank Hills vs Sunnybank

Annual running cost comparison for Brisbane home buyers · 2025–26 data

Data updated July 2025 · Council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance

Quick verdict: Sunnybank Hills and Sunnybank sit within $52 of each other annually, less than $4 per month. Commute direction, school scores, and risk profile will drive the decision more than cost. Sunnybank Hills scores 8.9/10 on schools versus 4.8/10 for Sunnybank.

Annual running cost breakdown

Cost component Sunnybank Hills Sunnybank
Council rates $1,519 $1,519
Water & sewerage $1,824 $1,824
Annual commute (driving) $1,208 $1,056
Home insurance (estimated) $1,900 $2,000
Total annual cost $6,451 $6,399
Distance to CBD 14.3 km 12.5 km

Teal = lower cost. Council rates from Brisbane City Council 2025-26 and Brisbane City Council 2025-26. Commute uses ATO 88c/km over ABS annual kilometres by location class. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary.

Cost breakdown detail

Both suburbs fall under Brisbane City Council 2025-26, paying the same general rate of $1,519 per year.

Driving commute costs are similar: $1,208 per year from Sunnybank Hills and $1,056 from Sunnybank to Brisbane CBD.

Schools and risk profile

Factor Sunnybank Hills Sunnybank
School score (ICSEA) 8.9/10 4.8/10
Nearest state primary Sunnybank Hills State School Sunnybank State School
Nearest private school Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School
Flood risk Low Low
Fire risk Medium Medium

Sunnybank Hills has the stronger school profile at 8.9/10 versus 4.8/10 for Sunnybank (ICSEA scale, higher = better). Nearest state primaries: Sunnybank Hills State School (Sunnybank Hills) and Sunnybank State School (Sunnybank).

Both suburbs share low flood risk and medium fire risk according to Queensland government mapping.

Who each suburb suits

Choose Sunnybank Hills if you
  • Families prioritising school scores: 8.9/10
Choose Sunnybank if you
  • Buyers watching costs: Sunnybank saves $52 per year
  • City commuters: 12.5 km to CBD vs 14.3 km

Frequently asked questions

  1. Which is cheaper to live in, Sunnybank Hills or Sunnybank?

    Sunnybank Hills and Sunnybank are within $52 of each other annually for a house. At that margin, commute direction and school scores will drive the decision more than running cost.

  2. How far is Sunnybank Hills from Brisbane CBD compared to Sunnybank?

    Sunnybank Hills is 14.3 km from Brisbane CBD. Sunnybank is 12.5 km from Brisbane CBD. Annual driving commute costs are $1,208 and $1,056 respectively, using the ATO 88 cents per kilometre rate over standard working days.

  3. Which suburb has better schools, Sunnybank Hills or Sunnybank?

    Sunnybank Hills rates higher on ICSEA school quality data at 8.9/10 versus 4.8/10 for Sunnybank. The nearest state primary in Sunnybank Hills is Sunnybank Hills State School; in Sunnybank it is Sunnybank State School. Source: ACARA ICSEA 2025.

  4. What are the flood and fire risks in Sunnybank Hills versus Sunnybank?

    Sunnybank Hills has low flood risk and medium fire risk. Sunnybank has low flood risk and medium fire risk. Source: Queensland Globe flood mapping and QFES bushfire prone land data.

  5. What are council rates in Sunnybank Hills compared to Sunnybank?

    Annual council rates for a house in Sunnybank Hills are $1,519 (Brisbane City Council 2025-26). In Sunnybank the rate is $1,519 (Brisbane City Council 2025-26). Water and sewerage charges add $1,824 in Sunnybank Hills and $1,824 in Sunnybank per year.

  6. Is Sunnybank Hills or Sunnybank better for families?

    Sunnybank Hills scores 8.9/10 on schools and has lower flood and fire risk. For families running both checks, it wins on both counts.

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