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Map of Balmoral
4.5 km from CBD
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True annual cost of living in Balmoral, QLD 4171

Living in a house in Balmoral costs about $6,134 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. Balmoral sits 4.5 kilometres from Brisbane CBD. Unit costs reach $8,202, with the $3,200 body corporate levy accounting for the entire difference between the two. Transport mode has the biggest effect on total cost in a suburb this close to the city.

Last updated July 2026 · Brisbane City Council rates 2026-27, ATO 91c/km, AER electricity benchmarks

3 key insights

Cheaper to run than 88% of Brisbane City Council suburbs, about 28% below the regional average.
Water & sewerage is the biggest expense at $1,900, roughly 31% of the annual total.
Switching from driving to public transport saves $1,292 a year.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →
Lower cost
House annual cost
$6,134
Driving · per year
$511/month
Unit annual cost
$8,202
Incl. body corporate
$684/month
House vs unit difference
+$2,068
Unit costs more per year

Annual cost breakdown

Council rates
Brisbane City Council 2026-27 · minimum rate
$950
Water & sewerage
Queensland Urban Utilities 2026-27
$1,900
Driving commute
ATO 91c/km · 4.5km from CBD · 192 days
$1,484
Home insurance
Estimated · flood Low · fire Low
$1,800
Total annual running cost
$6,134
($511/month)
↓ 28% below Brisbane City Council average
SuburbCost affordability score ●●●●● 9.2/10 Excellent
Cheaper to run than 88% of Brisbane City Council suburbs. Score blends running cost (50%), schools (20%) and flood & fire risk (30%).

Estimated electricity cost

typical 2-person household
House
$2,135/yr
5,126 kWh
Unit
$1,776/yr
3,845 kWh
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for Balmoral's climate zone at 2026-27 regulated prices for its electricity network. Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.

Getting around Balmoral

within a 2 km walk
Nearest stop
Apollo Road Ferry Terminal, 1,494 m away, about a 19 minute walk. It is a ferry stop.
Nearest hospital
Saint Vincent's Private Hospital Brisbane, 3,756 m away, about a 47 minute walk.
Supermarkets
6
Cafes
22
Parks
41
Counted from OpenStreetMap via Overpass inside a 2 km walking radius of the suburb centre, built 2026-08-07. Distances are straight line from that centre, so a specific address can be closer or further. Mapping is contributed and can lag a new opening.

Compare Balmoral with another suburb

Frequently asked questions about Balmoral

Is it cheaper to drive or take public transport from Balmoral to the CBD?

Public transport saves Balmoral residents $1,292 per year. Annual commute cost by car is $1,484 versus $192 by public transport using Translink's flat 50 cent fare.

What are the council rates in Balmoral?

Balmoral falls under Brisbane City Council. The minimum residential general rate for 2026-27 is $950 per year for an owner-occupied house. Properties on higher land value pay more. Unit owners in strata schemes pay $1,138 per year. These figures cover the general rate only and exclude waste and cleansing charges.

What does it cost to run a unit in Balmoral?

Running a unit in Balmoral costs approximately $8,202 per year by car or $6,910 by public transport. This includes council rates of $1,138, water and sewerage $1,900, estimated body corporate levy of $3,200, and contents insurance of $480. Body corporate fees vary significantly between buildings. Always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.

Is Balmoral close to public transport?

The nearest scheduled service to the centre of Balmoral is Apollo Road Ferry Terminal, a ferry stop about 1,494 m away, about a 19 minute walk. That is measured from the suburb centre, so an individual address can be nearer or further. The commute figure used in the running cost on this page assumes driving, not this service.

What is the closest hospital to Balmoral?

The closest hospital to the centre of Balmoral is Saint Vincent's Private Hospital Brisbane, about 3,756 m away, about a 47 minute walk. Distance is straight line from the suburb centre and does not account for the road route or whether the hospital has an emergency department.

What shops and parks are in Balmoral?

Within a 2 km walk of the centre of Balmoral there are 6 supermarkets, 22 cafes and 41 parks. These counts come from OpenStreetMap via Overpass, which is contributed mapping and can lag a recent opening or closure.

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Data sources: Council rates: Brisbane City Council 2026-27. Water: Queensland Urban Utilities 2026-27. Commute: ATO cents per kilometre rate 2026–27 (91c/km). Insurance: AI-estimated, disclosed as estimate. Schools: ACARA ICSEA 2025. Risk: Queensland Globe, QFES. Data updated 2026-07.
Cost estimates are for comparison purposes only and do not constitute financial, insurance, or credit advice.