Underwood vs Woodridge: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Underwood and Woodridge are both Logan City Council suburbs, sitting 17.6 km and 19.4 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $127 a year of each other to run, so running cost is a minor factor here — the decision comes down to schools, risk and lifestyle, all in the free report.
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 →Underwood
Woodridge
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Underwood | Woodridge | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,816 | $1,816 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,149 | $2,149 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,639 | $4,966 | -$327 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,000 | $1,800 | +$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,800 | $2,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,604 | $10,731 | -$127 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,157 | $5,957 | +$200 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Underwood | Woodridge | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $1,976 | $1,976 | - |
| Unit | $1,591 | $1,591 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2025 rates (QLD 30c/kWh, NSW 33c/kWh incl. supply charge; unit ≈ 75% of a house). Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Cost breakdown chart
Annual cost breakdown — Underwood vs Woodridge (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Underwood and Woodridge cost within $127 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,456, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $327 per year. Woodridge is 19.4 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the gap is $200 per year, $6,157 from Underwood versus $5,957 from Woodridge.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Underwood cumulative | Woodridge cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,604 | $10,731 | $127 |
| Year 3 | $32,776 | $33,168 | $392 |
| Year 5 | $56,298 | $56,972 | $674 |
| Year 10 | $121,563 | $123,019 | $1,456 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Underwood or Woodridge cheaper to live in?
Underwood is cheaper to run by car at $10,604 per year versus $10,731 for Woodridge, a difference of $127 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Underwood and Woodridge?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,816 in Underwood (Logan City Council) and $1,816 in Woodridge (Logan City Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,149 in Underwood and $2,149 in Woodridge. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Underwood and Woodridge?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,639 from Underwood and $4,966 from Woodridge to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Underwood and $192 from Woodridge.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Underwood and Woodridge?
At 3% annual cost growth, Underwood costs a cumulative $121,563 and Woodridge costs $123,019 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,456 in favour of Underwood. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Underwood and Woodridge 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: Logan City Council and Logan City Council rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.