Benarkin vs Blackbutt: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Benarkin and Blackbutt are both South Burnett Regional Council suburbs, 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 | $1,189 | $1,189 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,157 | $2,157 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $18,200 | $18,200 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,400 | $1,900 | +$500 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,400 | $1,600 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $23,946 | $23,446 | +$500 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,938 | $5,438 | +$500 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Benarkin | Blackbutt | 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 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, $5,938 from Benarkin versus $5,438 from Blackbutt.
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 by $500 a year, $1,900 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 against low in Blackbutt, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Benarkin cumulative | Blackbutt cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,946 | $23,446 | $500 |
| Year 3 | $74,015 | $72,469 | $1,546 |
| Year 5 | $127,133 | $124,478 | $2,655 |
| Year 10 | $274,514 | $268,782 | $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 $23,446 per year versus $23,946 for Benarkin, a difference of $500 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Benarkin and Blackbutt?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,189 in Benarkin (South Burnett Regional Council) and $1,189 in Blackbutt (South Burnett Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,157 in Benarkin and $2,157 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?
Benarkin 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 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 and $192 from Blackbutt.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Benarkin and Blackbutt?
At 3% annual cost growth, Benarkin costs a cumulative $274,514 and Blackbutt costs $268,782 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: 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.