Blacksoil vs Brassall: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Blacksoil and Brassall are both Ipswich City Council suburbs, sitting 33.7 km and 31.5 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Brassall runs $443 a year cheaper than Blacksoil, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,079.
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 →Blacksoil
Brassall
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Blacksoil | Brassall | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,298 | $1,298 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,816 | $6,673 | +$143 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,200 | $2,900 | +$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,000 | $2,200 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $13,214 | $12,771 | +$443 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,590 | $6,290 | +$300 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Blacksoil | Brassall | 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 — Blacksoil vs Brassall (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Brassall costs $443 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,079 in favour of Brassall.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $300 per year.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $6,590 from Blacksoil versus $6,290 from Brassall.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,298 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,900 a year.
- Driving commute favours Brassall by $143 a year, $6,673 against $6,816.
- Building insurance favours Brassall by $300 a year, $2,900 against $3,200.
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 | Blacksoil cumulative | Brassall cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $13,214 | $12,771 | $443 |
| Year 3 | $40,843 | $39,474 | $1,369 |
| Year 5 | $70,155 | $67,803 | $2,352 |
| Year 10 | $151,484 | $146,405 | $5,079 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Blacksoil or Brassall cheaper to live in?
Brassall is cheaper to run by car at $12,771 per year versus $13,214 for Blacksoil, a difference of $443 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Blacksoil and Brassall?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,298 in Blacksoil (Ipswich City Council) and $1,298 in Brassall (Ipswich City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Blacksoil and $1,900 in Brassall. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Blacksoil and Brassall?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,816 from Blacksoil and $6,673 from Brassall to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Blacksoil and $192 from Brassall.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Blacksoil and Brassall?
At 3% annual cost growth, Blacksoil costs a cumulative $151,484 and Brassall costs $146,405 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,079 in favour of Brassall. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Blacksoil and Brassall 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 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.