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8.7 km from CBD
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True annual cost of living in Wavell Heights, QLD 4012

Living in a house in Wavell Heights costs about $7,949 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. Wavell Heights sits 8.7 kilometres from Brisbane CBD. Unit costs reach $8,839, with the $2,800 body corporate levy accounting for the entire difference between the two. Switching from driving to public transport saves $2,428 per year at this distance.

Last updated July 2026 · Brisbane City Council rates 2026-27, ATO 88c/km, AER electricity benchmarks

3 key insights
Cheaper to run than 68% of Brisbane City Council suburbs, about 12% below the regional average.
The commute is the biggest expense at $2,620, roughly 33% of the annual total.
Switching from driving to public transport saves $2,428 a year.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →
Lower cost
House annual cost
$7,949
Driving · per year
$662/month
Unit annual cost
$8,839
Incl. body corporate
$737/month
House vs unit difference
+$890
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 · 8.7km from CBD · 192 days
$2,620
Home insurance
Estimated · flood Medium · fire Medium
$1,850
Total annual running cost
$7,949
($662/month)
↓ 12% below Brisbane City Council average
SuburbCost affordability score ●●●○○ 6.3/10 Average
Cheaper to run than 68% 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 Wavell Heights's climate zone at 2025 rates. Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Compare Wavell Heights with another suburb
Is it cheaper to drive or take public transport from Wavell Heights to the CBD?
Public transport saves Wavell Heights residents $2,428 per year. Annual commute cost by car is $2,620 versus $192 by public transport using Translink's flat 50 cent fare.
What are the council rates in Wavell Heights?
Wavell Heights 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 Wavell Heights?
Running a unit in Wavell Heights costs approximately $8,839 per year by car or $6,411 by public transport. This includes council rates of $1,039, water and sewerage $1,900, estimated body corporate levy of $2,800, and contents insurance of $480. Body corporate fees vary significantly between buildings. Always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.

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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 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.