Barellan Point vs Karana Downs, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Barellan Point (Ipswich City Council) and Karana Downs (Brisbane City Council) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Brisbane CBD (21.2 km and 21.9 km).
Karana Downs runs $334 a year cheaper than Barellan Point, driven mostly by council rates. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,829.
Over 10 years, Karana Downs costs about $3,800 less to run than Barellan Point. That's about $7 a week.
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Karana Downs
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Barellan Point | Karana Downs | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,298 | $950 | +$348 |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $5,444 | $5,558 | -$114 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,300 | $2,200 | +$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,200 | $2,200 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,942 | $10,608 | +$334 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,690 | $5,242 | +$448 |
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 | Barellan Point | Karana Downs | 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, Barellan Point vs Karana Downs (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Karana Downs costs $334 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,829 in favour of Karana Downs.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $348 per year.
On public transport the gap is $448 per year, $5,690 from Barellan Point versus $5,242 from Karana Downs.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Karana Downs by $348 a year, $950 against $1,298.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,900 a year.
- Driving commute favours Barellan Point by $114 a year, $5,444 against $5,558.
- Building insurance favours Karana Downs by $100 a year, $2,200 against $2,300.
They sit in different council areas, so the rates line is set by two different councils. For QLD that figure is the minimum residential general rate for an owner-occupied principal place of residence, a floor rather than a typical bill.
Flood risk is rated medium in Karana Downs against low in Barellan Point, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Barellan Point cumulative | Karana Downs cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,942 | $10,608 | $334 |
| Year 3 | $33,821 | $32,788 | $1,033 |
| Year 5 | $58,093 | $56,319 | $1,774 |
| Year 10 | $125,438 | $121,609 | $3,829 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Barellan Point or Karana Downs cheaper to live in?
Karana Downs is cheaper to run by car at $10,608 per year versus $10,942 for Barellan Point, a difference of $334 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Barellan Point and Karana Downs?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,298 in Barellan Point (Ipswich City Council) and $950 in Karana Downs (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Barellan Point and $1,900 in Karana Downs. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Barellan Point and Karana Downs?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,444 from Barellan Point and $5,558 from Karana Downs to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Barellan Point and $192 from Karana Downs.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Barellan Point and Karana Downs?
At 3% annual cost growth, Barellan Point costs a cumulative $125,438 and Karana Downs costs $121,609 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,829 in favour of Karana Downs. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Barellan Point and Karana Downs suits you better?
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Sources: Ipswich 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.