Blackstone vs Booval: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Blackstone and Booval are both Ipswich City Council suburbs, sitting 28.2 km and 28 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Booval runs $1,120 a year cheaper than Blackstone, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $12,839.
Over 10 years, Booval costs about $12,800 less to run than Blackstone — the same as paying $12,800 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Booval
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Blackstone | Booval | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,298 | $1,298 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,170 | $6,150 | +$20 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,000 | $1,900 | +$1,100 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,000 | $2,600 | -$600 |
| Total (driving) | $12,368 | $11,248 | +$1,120 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,390 | $5,290 | +$1,100 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Blackstone | Booval | 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 — Blackstone vs Booval (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Booval costs $1,120 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $12,839 in favour of Booval.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $1,100 per year.
On public transport the gap is $1,100 per year, $6,390 from Blackstone versus $5,290 from Booval.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Blackstone cumulative | Booval cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,368 | $11,248 | $1,120 |
| Year 3 | $38,228 | $34,766 | $3,462 |
| Year 5 | $65,663 | $59,717 | $5,946 |
| Year 10 | $141,785 | $128,946 | $12,839 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Blackstone or Booval cheaper to live in?
Booval is cheaper to run by car at $11,248 per year versus $12,368 for Blackstone, a difference of $1,120 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Blackstone and Booval?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,298 in Blackstone (Ipswich City Council) and $1,298 in Booval (Ipswich City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Blackstone and $1,900 in Booval. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Blackstone and Booval?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,170 from Blackstone and $6,150 from Booval to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Blackstone and $192 from Booval.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Blackstone and Booval?
At 3% annual cost growth, Blackstone costs a cumulative $141,785 and Booval costs $128,946 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $12,839 in favour of Booval. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Blackstone and Booval 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.