Beechmont vs Illinbah, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Beechmont and Illinbah are both Scenic Rim Regional Council suburbs, sitting 24.5 km and 21.7 km from Beaudesert CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Illinbah runs $614 a year cheaper than Beechmont, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $7,039.
Over 10 years, Illinbah costs about $7,000 less to run than Beechmont. That's about $14 a week.
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Illinbah
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Beechmont | Illinbah | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,376 | $1,376 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $5,940 | $5,526 | +$414 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $5,940 | $5,526 | +$414 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,300 | $2,100 | +$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,800 | $1,400 | +$400 |
| Total (driving) | $11,516 | $10,902 | +$614 |
| Total (public transport) | $11,516 | $10,902 | +$614 |
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 | Beechmont | Illinbah | 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, Beechmont vs Illinbah (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Illinbah costs $614 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $7,039 in favour of Illinbah.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $414 per year. Beechmont is 24.5 km from Beaudesert CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $614 per year, $11,516 from Beechmont versus $10,902 from Illinbah.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,376 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,900 a year.
- Driving commute favours Illinbah by $414 a year, $5,526 against $5,940.
- Building insurance favours Illinbah by $200 a year, $2,100 against $2,300.
Both suburbs sit in the same council area, so the rates line is identical and none of the difference between them comes from council. What separates them is commute distance and the insurance band.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Beechmont cumulative | Illinbah cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,516 | $10,902 | $614 |
| Year 3 | $35,595 | $33,697 | $1,898 |
| Year 5 | $61,140 | $57,880 | $3,260 |
| Year 10 | $132,018 | $124,979 | $7,039 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Beechmont or Illinbah cheaper to live in?
Illinbah is cheaper to run by car at $10,902 per year versus $11,516 for Beechmont, a difference of $614 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Beechmont and Illinbah?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,376 in Beechmont (Scenic Rim Regional Council) and $1,376 in Illinbah (Scenic Rim Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Beechmont and $1,900 in Illinbah. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Beechmont and Illinbah?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,940 from Beechmont and $5,526 from Illinbah to Beaudesert CBD (ATO 91c/km). No daily public transport commute is assumed from either suburb, so both are costed by car.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Beechmont and Illinbah?
At 3% annual cost growth, Beechmont costs a cumulative $132,018 and Illinbah costs $124,979 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $7,039 in favour of Illinbah. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Beechmont and Illinbah suits you better?
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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 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.