Blacksoil vs Pine Mountain: 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 Pine Mountain are both Ipswich City Council suburbs, sitting 33.7 km and 31.3 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $152 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
Pine Mountain
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Blacksoil | Pine Mountain | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,298 | $1,298 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,591 | $6,439 | +$152 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,200 | $3,200 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,000 | $2,000 | - |
| Total (driving) | $12,989 | $12,837 | +$152 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,590 | $6,590 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Blacksoil | Pine Mountain | 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 Pine Mountain (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Blacksoil and Pine Mountain cost within $152 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,742, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $152 per year. Blacksoil is 33.7 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 $6,590 a year, so the $152 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Blacksoil cumulative | Pine Mountain cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,989 | $12,837 | $152 |
| Year 3 | $40,148 | $39,678 | $470 |
| Year 5 | $68,960 | $68,153 | $807 |
| Year 10 | $148,904 | $147,162 | $1,742 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Blacksoil or Pine Mountain cheaper to live in?
Pine Mountain is cheaper to run by car at $12,837 per year versus $12,989 for Blacksoil, a difference of $152 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Blacksoil and Pine Mountain?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,298 in Blacksoil (Ipswich City Council) and $1,298 in Pine Mountain (Ipswich City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Blacksoil and $1,900 in Pine Mountain. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Blacksoil and Pine Mountain?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,591 from Blacksoil and $6,439 from Pine Mountain to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Blacksoil and $192 from Pine Mountain.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Blacksoil and Pine Mountain?
At 3% annual cost growth, Blacksoil costs a cumulative $148,904 and Pine Mountain costs $147,162 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,742 in favour of Pine Mountain. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Blacksoil and Pine Mountain 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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.