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 $393 a year cheaper than Blacksoil, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,506.
Over 10 years the gap between these two is about $4,500, about $9 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Brassall
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Blacksoil | Brassall | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,298 | $1,298 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,816 | $6,673 | +$143 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,400 | $2,150 | +$250 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,000 | $2,200 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $12,414 | $12,021 | +$393 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,790 | $5,540 | +$250 |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; 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
Blacksoil and Brassall differ by $393 a year by car, but $250 of that is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On the sourced costs, council rates, water and the commute, the gap is $143, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $250 per year.
On public transport the gap is $250 per year, $5,790 from Blacksoil versus $5,540 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 $250 a year, $2,150 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 commute distance and the insurance band.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Blacksoil cumulative | Brassall cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,414 | $12,021 | $393 |
| Year 3 | $38,370 | $37,156 | $1,214 |
| Year 5 | $65,908 | $63,821 | $2,087 |
| Year 10 | $142,313 | $137,807 | $4,506 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Blacksoil or Brassall cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Blacksoil runs $12,414 a year by car and Brassall $12,021, but most of the $393 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $143. 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 $142,313 and Brassall costs $137,807 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,506 in favour of Brassall. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Blacksoil and Brassall suits you better?
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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 insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.