Sunnybank vs Sunnybank Hills: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Sunnybank and Sunnybank Hills are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 12.5 km and 14.3 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Sunnybank runs $317 a year cheaper than Sunnybank Hills, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,634.
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 →Sunnybank
Sunnybank Hills
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Sunnybank | Sunnybank Hills | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $950 | $950 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,686 | $4,103 | -$417 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,000 | $1,900 | +$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,800 | $2,600 | +$200 |
| Total (driving) | $8,536 | $8,853 | -$317 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,042 | $4,942 | +$100 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Sunnybank | Sunnybank Hills | 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 — Sunnybank vs Sunnybank Hills (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Sunnybank costs $317 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,634 in favour of Sunnybank.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $417 per year. Sunnybank Hills is 14.3 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, $5,042 and $4,942 a year, so the $317 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 Sunnybank by $417 a year, $3,686 against $4,103.
- Building insurance favours Sunnybank Hills by $100 a year, $1,900 against $2,000.
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.
The catchment state school scores 9 in Sunnybank Hills against 6.1 in Sunnybank, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Sunnybank cumulative | Sunnybank Hills cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,536 | $8,853 | $317 |
| Year 3 | $26,384 | $27,364 | $980 |
| Year 5 | $45,319 | $47,002 | $1,683 |
| Year 10 | $97,856 | $101,490 | $3,634 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Sunnybank or Sunnybank Hills cheaper to live in?
Sunnybank is cheaper to run by car at $8,536 per year versus $8,853 for Sunnybank Hills, a difference of $317 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Sunnybank and Sunnybank Hills?
Annual council rates for a house are $950 in Sunnybank (Brisbane City Council) and $950 in Sunnybank Hills (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Sunnybank and $1,900 in Sunnybank Hills. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Sunnybank and Sunnybank Hills?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,686 from Sunnybank and $4,103 from Sunnybank Hills to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Sunnybank and $192 from Sunnybank Hills.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Sunnybank and Sunnybank Hills?
At 3% annual cost growth, Sunnybank costs a cumulative $97,856 and Sunnybank Hills costs $101,490 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,634 in favour of Sunnybank. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Sunnybank and Sunnybank Hills 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.