Thornlands vs Victoria Point: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Thornlands and Victoria Point are both Redland City Council suburbs, sitting 25.7 km and 28.9 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Thornlands runs $655 a year cheaper than Victoria Point, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $7,509.
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 →Thornlands
Victoria Point
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Thornlands | Victoria Point | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,436 | $1,436 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,308 | $2,308 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,096 | $6,451 | -$355 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,900 | $3,200 | -$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,600 | $2,800 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $12,740 | $13,395 | -$655 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,836 | $7,136 | -$300 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Thornlands | Victoria 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 — Thornlands vs Victoria Point (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Thornlands costs $655 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $7,509 in favour of Thornlands.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $355 per year. Victoria Point is 28.9 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, $6,836 from Thornlands versus $7,136 from Victoria 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 Thornlands by $355 a year, $6,096 against $6,451.
- Building insurance favours Thornlands by $300 a year, $2,900 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.
The catchment state school scores 6.2 in Thornlands against 5 in Victoria Point, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Thornlands cumulative | Victoria Point cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,740 | $13,395 | $655 |
| Year 3 | $39,378 | $41,403 | $2,025 |
| Year 5 | $67,638 | $71,116 | $3,478 |
| Year 10 | $146,050 | $153,559 | $7,509 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Thornlands or Victoria Point cheaper to live in?
Thornlands is cheaper to run by car at $12,740 per year versus $13,395 for Victoria Point, a difference of $655 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Thornlands and Victoria Point?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,436 in Thornlands (Redland City Council) and $1,436 in Victoria Point (Redland City Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,308 in Thornlands and $2,308 in Victoria Point. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Thornlands and Victoria Point?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,096 from Thornlands and $6,451 from Victoria Point to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Thornlands and $192 from Victoria Point.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Thornlands and Victoria Point?
At 3% annual cost growth, Thornlands costs a cumulative $146,050 and Victoria Point costs $153,559 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $7,509 in favour of Thornlands. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Thornlands and Victoria 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.