Blacksoil vs Muirlea, 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 Muirlea are both Ipswich City Council suburbs, sitting 33.7 km and 30.9 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Muirlea runs $339 a year cheaper than Blacksoil, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,887.
Over 10 years, Muirlea costs about $3,900 less to run than Blacksoil. That's about $7 a week.
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Muirlea
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Blacksoil | Muirlea | 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 | $6,627 | +$189 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,400 | $2,250 | +$150 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,000 | $2,200 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $12,414 | $12,075 | +$339 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,790 | $5,640 | +$150 |
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 | Muirlea | 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 Muirlea (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Muirlea costs $339 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,887 in favour of Muirlea.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $189 per year. Blacksoil is 33.7 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $5,790 and $5,640 a year, so the $339 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
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 Muirlea by $189 a year, $6,627 against $6,816.
- Building insurance favours Muirlea by $150 a year, $2,250 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 | Muirlea cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,414 | $12,075 | $339 |
| Year 3 | $38,370 | $37,323 | $1,047 |
| Year 5 | $65,908 | $64,108 | $1,800 |
| Year 10 | $142,313 | $138,426 | $3,887 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Blacksoil or Muirlea cheaper to live in?
Muirlea is cheaper to run by car at $12,075 per year versus $12,414 for Blacksoil, a difference of $339 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Blacksoil and Muirlea?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,298 in Blacksoil (Ipswich City Council) and $1,298 in Muirlea (Ipswich City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Blacksoil and $1,900 in Muirlea. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Blacksoil and Muirlea?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,816 from Blacksoil and $6,627 from Muirlea to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Blacksoil and $192 from Muirlea.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Blacksoil and Muirlea?
At 3% annual cost growth, Blacksoil costs a cumulative $142,313 and Muirlea costs $138,426 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,887 in favour of Muirlea. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Blacksoil and Muirlea 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.