Beechmont vs Flying Fox: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Beechmont and Flying Fox are both Scenic Rim Regional Council suburbs, sitting 24.6 km and 21.6 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Flying Fox runs $629 a year cheaper than Beechmont, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $7,210.
Over 10 years these two cost about the same to run. The difference here isn't money — it's location, schools and lifestyle.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Beechmont
Flying Fox
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Beechmont | Flying Fox | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,376 | $1,376 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,757 | $5,328 | +$429 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,400 | $3,200 | +$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,500 | +$300 |
| Total (driving) | $12,433 | $11,804 | +$629 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,868 | $6,668 | +$200 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Beechmont | Flying Fox | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $1,976 | $1,976 | - |
| Unit | $1,591 | $1,591 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2025 rates (QLD 30c/kWh, NSW 33c/kWh incl. supply charge; unit ≈ 75% of a house). Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Cost breakdown chart
Annual cost breakdown — Beechmont vs Flying Fox (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Flying Fox costs $629 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $7,210 in favour of Flying Fox.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $429 per year. Beechmont is 24.6 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the gap is $200 per year, $6,868 from Beechmont versus $6,668 from Flying Fox.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Beechmont cumulative | Flying Fox cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,433 | $11,804 | $629 |
| Year 3 | $38,429 | $36,485 | $1,944 |
| Year 5 | $66,008 | $62,669 | $3,339 |
| Year 10 | $142,530 | $135,320 | $7,210 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Beechmont or Flying Fox cheaper to live in?
Flying Fox is cheaper to run by car at $11,804 per year versus $12,433 for Beechmont, a difference of $629 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Beechmont and Flying Fox?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,376 in Beechmont (Scenic Rim Regional Council) and $1,376 in Flying Fox (Scenic Rim Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Beechmont and $1,900 in Flying Fox. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Beechmont and Flying Fox?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,757 from Beechmont and $5,328 from Flying Fox to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Beechmont and $192 from Flying Fox.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Beechmont and Flying Fox?
At 3% annual cost growth, Beechmont costs a cumulative $142,530 and Flying Fox costs $135,320 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $7,210 in favour of Flying Fox. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Beechmont and Flying Fox is best to actually live in?
You've got the costs. Get the free personalised report for the rest: a clear verdict on which suburb wins, the full flood, fire and crime risk profile, nearest schools, estimated electricity cost by number of occupants, and your own loan or rent stress-tested over 10 years. No spam.
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Sources: Scenic Rim Regional Council and Scenic Rim Regional Council rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.