Benarkin North vs Blackbutt North: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Benarkin North and Blackbutt North are both Ipswich City Council suburbs, sitting 110.4 km and 112.1 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, 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 | $1,298 | $1,298 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,400 | $1,950 | +$450 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,400 | $1,600 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $23,198 | $22,748 | +$450 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,790 | $5,340 | +$450 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Benarkin North | Blackbutt North | 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 — 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, $5,790 from Benarkin North versus $5,340 from Blackbutt North.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Benarkin North cumulative | Blackbutt North cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,198 | $22,748 | $450 |
| Year 3 | $71,703 | $70,312 | $1,391 |
| Year 5 | $123,161 | $120,772 | $2,389 |
| Year 10 | $265,939 | $260,780 | $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 $22,748 per year versus $23,198 for Benarkin North, a difference of $450 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/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 $1,298 in Benarkin North (Ipswich City Council) and $1,298 in Blackbutt North (Ipswich City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Benarkin North and $1,900 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?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Benarkin North and $17,600 from Blackbutt North to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). 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 $265,939 and Blackbutt North costs $260,780 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: Ipswich City Council and Ipswich City 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.