West End vs Wynnum: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
West End and Wynnum are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 2.4 km and 14.4 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
West End runs $2,512 a year cheaper than Wynnum, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $28,797.
Over 10 years, West End costs about $28,800 less to run than Wynnum — the same as paying $28,800 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Wynnum
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | West End | Wynnum | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $950 | $950 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $814 | $4,126 | -$3,312 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,900 | $2,100 | +$800 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $5,500 | $2,800 | +$2,700 |
| Total (driving) | $6,564 | $9,076 | -$2,512 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,942 | $5,142 | +$800 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | West End | Wynnum | 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 — West End vs Wynnum (2026-27)
What the numbers show
West End costs $2,512 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $28,797 in favour of West End.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $3,312 per year. Wynnum is 14.4 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $800 per year, $5,942 from West End versus $5,142 from Wynnum.
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 West End by $3,312 a year, $814 against $4,126.
- Building insurance favours Wynnum by $800 a year, $2,100 against $2,900.
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.
Flood risk is rated medium in West End against low in Wynnum, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated medium in Wynnum against low in West End, which feeds the insurance estimate. The catchment state school scores 9.6 in West End against 6.5 in Wynnum, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | West End cumulative | Wynnum cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $6,564 | $9,076 | $2,512 |
| Year 3 | $20,289 | $28,053 | $7,764 |
| Year 5 | $34,849 | $48,186 | $13,337 |
| Year 10 | $75,249 | $104,046 | $28,797 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is West End or Wynnum cheaper to live in?
West End is cheaper to run by car at $6,564 per year versus $9,076 for Wynnum, a difference of $2,512 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in West End and Wynnum?
Annual council rates for a house are $950 in West End (Brisbane City Council) and $950 in Wynnum (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in West End and $1,900 in Wynnum. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between West End and Wynnum?
Annual driving commute costs are $814 from West End and $4,126 from Wynnum to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from West End and $192 from Wynnum.
What is the 10-year cost difference between West End and Wynnum?
At 3% annual cost growth, West End costs a cumulative $75,249 and Wynnum costs $104,046 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $28,797 in favour of West End. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of West End and Wynnum 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: 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.