Thorneside vs Wellington Point: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Thorneside and Wellington Point are both Redland City Council suburbs, sitting 17.4 km and 21.5 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Thorneside runs $1,736 a year cheaper than Wellington Point, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $19,902.
Over 10 years, Thorneside costs about $19,900 less to run than Wellington Point — the same as paying $19,900 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Wellington Point
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Thorneside | Wellington Point | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,436 | $1,436 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,308 | $2,308 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,758 | $5,494 | -$736 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,200 | $3,200 | -$1,000 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,800 | $2,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,702 | $12,438 | -$1,736 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,136 | $7,136 | -$1,000 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Thorneside | Wellington Point | 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 — Thorneside vs Wellington Point (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Thorneside costs $1,736 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $19,902 in favour of Thorneside.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $1,000 per year.
On public transport the gap is $1,000 per year, $6,136 from Thorneside versus $7,136 from Wellington Point.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,436 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $2,308 a year.
- Driving commute favours Thorneside by $736 a year, $4,758 against $5,494.
- Building insurance favours Thorneside by $1,000 a year, $2,200 against $3,200.
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.
Fire risk is rated high in Wellington Point against medium in Thorneside, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Thorneside cumulative | Wellington Point cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,702 | $12,438 | $1,736 |
| Year 3 | $33,079 | $38,445 | $5,366 |
| Year 5 | $56,818 | $66,035 | $9,217 |
| Year 10 | $122,686 | $142,588 | $19,902 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Thorneside or Wellington Point cheaper to live in?
Thorneside is cheaper to run by car at $10,702 per year versus $12,438 for Wellington Point, a difference of $1,736 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Thorneside and Wellington Point?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,436 in Thorneside (Redland City Council) and $1,436 in Wellington Point (Redland City Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,308 in Thorneside and $2,308 in Wellington Point. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Thorneside and Wellington Point?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,758 from Thorneside and $5,494 from Wellington Point to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Thorneside and $192 from Wellington Point.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Thorneside and Wellington Point?
At 3% annual cost growth, Thorneside costs a cumulative $122,686 and Wellington Point costs $142,588 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $19,902 in favour of Thorneside. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Thorneside and Wellington Point 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: Redland City Council and Redland 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.