Compare suburbs Suburbs Council rates Cost of living calculator Electricity calculator About Blog
Map of Hawthorne
3.4 km from CBD
Home  ·  Suburbs  ·  Brisbane City  ·  Hawthorne

True annual cost of living in Hawthorne, QLD 4171

Living in a house in Hawthorne costs about $6,479 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. Hawthorne sits 3.4 kilometres from Brisbane CBD. Unit costs reach $8,059, with the $3,500 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 88c/km, AER electricity benchmarks

3 key insights
Cheaper to run than 91% of Brisbane City Council suburbs, about 29% below the regional average.
Home insurance is the biggest expense at $1,900, roughly 29% of the annual total.
Switching from driving to public transport saves $908 a year.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →
Lower cost
House annual cost
$6,479
Driving · per year
$540/month
Unit annual cost
$8,059
Incl. body corporate
$672/month
House vs unit difference
+$1,580
Unit costs more per year
Annual cost breakdown
Council rates
Brisbane City Council 2026-27 · minimum rate
$1,579
Water & sewerage
Queensland Urban Utilities 2026-27
$1,900
Driving commute
ATO 88c/km · 3.4km from CBD · 192 days
$1,100
Home insurance
Estimated · flood Medium · fire Low
$1,900
Total annual running cost
$6,479
($540/month)
↓ 29% below Brisbane City Council average
SuburbCost affordability score ●●●●○ 7.9/10 Good
Cheaper to run than 91% 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
$1,976/yr
5,126 kWh
Unit
$1,591/yr
3,845 kWh
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for Hawthorne's climate zone at 2025 rates. Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Compare Hawthorne with another suburb
Is it cheaper to drive or take public transport from Hawthorne to the CBD?
Public transport saves Hawthorne residents $908 per year. Annual commute cost by car is $1,100 versus $192 by public transport using Translink's flat 50 cent fare.
What are the council rates in Hawthorne?
Hawthorne falls under Brisbane City Council. The minimum residential general rate for 2026-27 is $1,579 per year for an owner-occupied house. Properties on higher land value pay more. Unit owners in strata schemes pay $1,039 per year. These figures cover the general rate only and exclude waste and cleansing charges.
What does it cost to run a unit in Hawthorne?
Running a unit in Hawthorne costs approximately $8,059 per year by car or $7,151 by public transport. This includes council rates of $1,039, water and sewerage $1,900, estimated body corporate levy of $3,500, and contents insurance of $520. Body corporate fees vary significantly between buildings. Always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.

Compare up to five suburbs.

Free 5-page PDF report. Enter your suburbs below.

Included:
Annual cost breakdown
10-year cost projection
School scores & catchments
Flood & fire risk ratings
Crime risk ratings
AI suburb recommendations
Up to 5 suburbs, side by side
I'm looking at a
When are you planning to buy or move?
We'll never share your email. Unsubscribe anytime.
Opening your report…
Your report is opening in a new tab. Check your inbox if it doesn't appear within a minute.
Data sources: Council rates: Brisbane City Council 2026-27. Water: Queensland Urban Utilities 2026-27. Commute: ATO cents per kilometre rate 2025–26 (88c/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.