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 $2,162 a year cheaper than Wynnum, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $24,785.
Over 10 years the gap between these two is about $24,800, about $48 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Wynnum
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | West End | Wynnum | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $950 | $950 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $814 | $4,126 | -$3,312 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $3,300 | $2,150 | +$1,150 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $5,500 | $2,800 | +$2,700 |
| Total (driving) | $6,964 | $9,126 | -$2,162 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,342 | $5,192 | +$1,150 |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; 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 and Wynnum differ by $2,162 a year by car, but $1,150 of that is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On the sourced costs, council rates, water and the commute, the gap is $3,312, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
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 $1,150 per year, $6,342 from West End versus $5,192 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 $1,150 a year, $2,150 against $3,300.
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 | $6,964 | $9,126 | $2,162 |
| Year 3 | $21,525 | $28,208 | $6,683 |
| Year 5 | $36,973 | $48,451 | $11,478 |
| Year 10 | $79,834 | $104,619 | $24,785 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is West End or Wynnum cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. West End runs $6,964 a year by car and Wynnum $9,126, but most of the $2,162 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $3,312. 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 $79,834 and Wynnum costs $104,619 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $24,785 in favour of West End. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of West End and Wynnum suits you better?
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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 insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.