Sunnybank vs Sunnybank Hills: true annual running costs compared (2026)
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
Sunnybank Hills
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Sunnybank | Sunnybank Hills | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,519 | $1,519 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,824 | $1,824 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $1,056 | $1,208 | -$152 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,000 | $1,900 | +$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,800 | $2,600 | +$200 |
| Total (driving) | $6,399 | $6,451 | -$52 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,535 | $5,435 | +$100 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary.
Cost breakdown chart
Annual cost breakdown — Sunnybank vs Sunnybank Hills (2025-26)
What the numbers show
Sunnybank and Sunnybank Hills cost within $52 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $596, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $152 per year. Sunnybank Hills is 14.3 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
Public transport equalises the comparison: both suburbs pay a flat $192 annual PT fare, so the $52 driving gap narrows to $100 under PT. If you rely on public transport, the two suburbs cost almost the same to run annually.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Sunnybank cumulative | Sunnybank Hills cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $6,399 | $6,451 | $52 |
| Year 3 | $19,779 | $19,939 | $160 |
| Year 5 | $33,973 | $34,249 | $276 |
| Year 10 | $73,357 | $73,953 | $596 |
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 $6,399 per year versus $6,451 for Sunnybank Hills — a difference of $52 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2025-26 data.
What are council rates in Sunnybank and Sunnybank Hills?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,519 in Sunnybank (Brisbane City Council 2025-26) and $1,519 in Sunnybank Hills (Brisbane City Council 2025-26). Water and sewerage adds $1,824 in Sunnybank and $1,824 in Sunnybank Hills.
How does the commute cost compare between Sunnybank and Sunnybank Hills?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,056 from Sunnybank and $1,208 from Sunnybank Hills to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km, 220 working days). 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 $73,357 and Sunnybank Hills costs $73,953 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $596 in favour of Sunnybank. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Compare Sunnybank and Sunnybank Hills in the tool
The SuburbCost comparison tool shows the full annual cost breakdown for both suburbs side by side. Toggle between driving and public transport to see which suburb comes out ahead for your commuting pattern.
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Sources: Brisbane City Council and Brisbane City Council rate schedules 2025-26, Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater 2025-26, ATO 88c/km, SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2025.