Benarkin vs Blackbutt: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Benarkin and Blackbutt are both Ipswich City Council suburbs, sitting 109.3 km and 111.9 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Blackbutt runs $500 a year cheaper than Benarkin, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,732.
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
Blackbutt
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Benarkin | Blackbutt | 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 | $1,900 | +$500 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,400 | $1,600 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $23,198 | $22,698 | +$500 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,790 | $5,290 | +$500 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Benarkin | Blackbutt | 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 vs Blackbutt (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Blackbutt costs $500 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,732 in favour of Blackbutt.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $500 per year.
On public transport the gap is $500 per year, $5,790 from Benarkin versus $5,290 from Blackbutt.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Benarkin cumulative | Blackbutt cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,198 | $22,698 | $500 |
| Year 3 | $71,703 | $70,157 | $1,546 |
| Year 5 | $123,161 | $120,507 | $2,654 |
| Year 10 | $265,939 | $260,207 | $5,732 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Benarkin or Blackbutt cheaper to live in?
Blackbutt is cheaper to run by car at $22,698 per year versus $23,198 for Benarkin, a difference of $500 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Benarkin and Blackbutt?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,298 in Benarkin (Ipswich City Council) and $1,298 in Blackbutt (Ipswich City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Benarkin and $1,900 in Blackbutt. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Benarkin and Blackbutt?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Benarkin and $17,600 from Blackbutt to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Benarkin and $192 from Blackbutt.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Benarkin and Blackbutt?
At 3% annual cost growth, Benarkin costs a cumulative $265,939 and Blackbutt costs $260,207 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,732 in favour of Blackbutt. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Benarkin and Blackbutt 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: 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.