Benarkin North vs Blackbutt North: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Benarkin North and Blackbutt North are both South Burnett Regional Council suburbs, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Blackbutt North runs $450 a year cheaper than Benarkin North, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,159.
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 →Benarkin North
Blackbutt North
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Benarkin North | Blackbutt North | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,189 | $1,189 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,157 | $2,157 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $18,200 | $18,200 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,400 | $1,950 | +$450 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,400 | $1,600 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $23,946 | $23,496 | +$450 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,938 | $5,488 | +$450 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Benarkin North | Blackbutt North | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,140 | $2,140 | - |
| Unit | $1,770 | $1,770 | - |
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 — Benarkin North vs Blackbutt North (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Blackbutt North costs $450 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,159 in favour of Blackbutt North.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $450 per year.
On public transport the gap is $450 per year, $5,938 from Benarkin North versus $5,488 from Blackbutt North.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,189 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $2,157 a year.
- Driving commute is identical at $18,200 a year.
- Building insurance favours Blackbutt North by $450 a year, $1,950 against $2,400.
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 the insurance band.
Fire risk is rated medium in Benarkin North against low in Blackbutt North, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Benarkin North cumulative | Blackbutt North cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,946 | $23,496 | $450 |
| Year 3 | $74,015 | $72,624 | $1,391 |
| Year 5 | $127,133 | $124,743 | $2,390 |
| Year 10 | $274,514 | $269,355 | $5,159 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Benarkin North or Blackbutt North cheaper to live in?
Blackbutt North is cheaper to run by car at $23,496 per year versus $23,946 for Benarkin North, a difference of $450 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Benarkin North and Blackbutt North?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,189 in Benarkin North (South Burnett Regional Council) and $1,189 in Blackbutt North (South Burnett Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,157 in Benarkin North and $2,157 in Blackbutt North. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Benarkin North and Blackbutt North?
Benarkin North carries a flat regional driving allowance of $18,200, about 20,000 km of household driving a year, because it is more than 100 km from Brisbane CBD. Blackbutt North carries a flat regional driving allowance of $18,200, about 20,000 km of household driving a year, because it is more than 100 km from Brisbane CBD. Public transport costs $192 from Benarkin North and $192 from Blackbutt North.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Benarkin North and Blackbutt North?
At 3% annual cost growth, Benarkin North costs a cumulative $274,514 and Blackbutt North costs $269,355 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,159 in favour of Blackbutt North. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Benarkin North and Blackbutt North 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.
Related comparisons
Sources: South Burnett Regional Council and South Burnett Regional Council rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.