True annual cost of living in East Brisbane, QLD 4169
Living in a house in East Brisbane costs about $5,629 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. East Brisbane sits 2.6 kilometres from Brisbane CBD. Unit costs reach $9,437, with the $5,000 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.
Cheaper to run than 94% 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 East Brisbane'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 East Brisbane
within a 2 km walk
Nearest stop
Mowbray Park ferry terminal, 799 m away, about a 10 minute walk. It is a ferry stop.
Nearest hospital
Saint Vincent's Private Hospital Brisbane, 1,634 m away, about a 20 minute walk.
Supermarkets
9
Cafes
82
Parks
78
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.
Is it cheaper to drive or take public transport from East Brisbane to the CBD?
Public transport saves East Brisbane residents $687 per year. Annual commute cost by car is $879 versus $192 by public transport using Translink's flat 50 cent fare.
What are the council rates in East Brisbane?
East Brisbane 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 East Brisbane?
Running a unit in East Brisbane costs approximately $9,437 per year by car or $8,750 by public transport. This includes council rates of $1,138, water and sewerage $1,900, estimated body corporate levy of $5,000, and contents insurance of $520. Body corporate fees vary significantly between buildings. Always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.
Is East Brisbane close to public transport?
The nearest scheduled service to the centre of East Brisbane is Mowbray Park ferry terminal, a ferry stop about 799 m away, about a 10 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 East Brisbane?
The closest hospital to the centre of East Brisbane is Saint Vincent's Private Hospital Brisbane, about 1,634 m away, about a 20 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 East Brisbane?
Within a 2 km walk of the centre of East Brisbane there are 9 supermarkets, 82 cafes and 78 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.