Blacksoil vs Ironbark: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Blacksoil and Ironbark are both Ipswich City Council suburbs, sitting 33.7 km and 36.2 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $6 a year of each other to run, so running cost is a minor factor here — the decision comes down to schools, risk and lifestyle, all in the free report.
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
Ironbark
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Blacksoil | Ironbark | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,298 | $1,298 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,591 | $6,697 | -$106 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,200 | $3,100 | +$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,000 | $2,200 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $12,989 | $12,995 | -$6 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,590 | $6,490 | +$100 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Blacksoil | Ironbark | 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 — Blacksoil vs Ironbark (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Blacksoil and Ironbark cost within $6 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $69, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $106 per year. Ironbark is 36.2 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $6,590 and $6,490 a year, so the $6 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Blacksoil cumulative | Ironbark cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,989 | $12,995 | $6 |
| Year 3 | $40,148 | $40,166 | $18 |
| Year 5 | $68,960 | $68,992 | $32 |
| Year 10 | $148,904 | $148,973 | $69 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Blacksoil or Ironbark cheaper to live in?
Blacksoil is cheaper to run by car at $12,989 per year versus $12,995 for Ironbark, a difference of $6 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Blacksoil and Ironbark?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,298 in Blacksoil (Ipswich City Council) and $1,298 in Ironbark (Ipswich City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Blacksoil and $1,900 in Ironbark. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Blacksoil and Ironbark?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,591 from Blacksoil and $6,697 from Ironbark to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Blacksoil and $192 from Ironbark.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Blacksoil and Ironbark?
At 3% annual cost growth, Blacksoil costs a cumulative $148,904 and Ironbark costs $148,973 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $69 in favour of Blacksoil. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Blacksoil and Ironbark 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.