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 $389 a year cheaper than Blacksoil, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,460.
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
Muirlea
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Blacksoil | Muirlea | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,298 | $1,298 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,816 | $6,627 | +$189 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,200 | $3,000 | +$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,000 | $2,200 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $13,214 | $12,825 | +$389 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,590 | $6,390 | +$200 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; 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 $389 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,460 in favour of Muirlea.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $200 per year.
On public transport the gap is $200 per year, $6,590 from Blacksoil versus $6,390 from Muirlea.
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 $200 a year, $3,000 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 | Muirlea cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $13,214 | $12,825 | $389 |
| Year 3 | $40,843 | $39,641 | $1,202 |
| Year 5 | $70,155 | $68,090 | $2,065 |
| Year 10 | $151,484 | $147,024 | $4,460 |
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 $12,825 per year versus $13,214 for Blacksoil, a difference of $389 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 $151,484 and Muirlea costs $147,024 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,460 in favour of Muirlea. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Blacksoil and Muirlea 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.
Related comparisons
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.