Blackstone vs Raceview: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Blackstone and Raceview are both Ipswich City Council suburbs, sitting 28.2 km and 30.8 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Raceview runs $561 a year cheaper than Blackstone, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,432.
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 →Blackstone
Raceview
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Blackstone | Raceview | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,298 | $1,298 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,380 | $6,619 | -$239 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,000 | $2,200 | +$800 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,000 | $2,000 | - |
| Total (driving) | $12,578 | $12,017 | +$561 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,390 | $5,590 | +$800 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Blackstone | Raceview | 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 — Blackstone vs Raceview (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Raceview costs $561 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $6,432 in favour of Raceview.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $800 per year.
On public transport the gap is $800 per year, $6,390 from Blackstone versus $5,590 from Raceview.
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 Blackstone by $239 a year, $6,380 against $6,619.
- Building insurance favours Raceview by $800 a year, $2,200 against $3,000.
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.
Fire risk is rated high in Blackstone against medium in Raceview, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Blackstone cumulative | Raceview cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,578 | $12,017 | $561 |
| Year 3 | $38,877 | $37,143 | $1,734 |
| Year 5 | $66,778 | $63,800 | $2,978 |
| Year 10 | $144,193 | $137,761 | $6,432 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Blackstone or Raceview cheaper to live in?
Raceview is cheaper to run by car at $12,017 per year versus $12,578 for Blackstone, a difference of $561 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Blackstone and Raceview?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,298 in Blackstone (Ipswich City Council) and $1,298 in Raceview (Ipswich City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Blackstone and $1,900 in Raceview. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Blackstone and Raceview?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,380 from Blackstone and $6,619 from Raceview to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Blackstone and $192 from Raceview.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Blackstone and Raceview?
At 3% annual cost growth, Blackstone costs a cumulative $144,193 and Raceview costs $137,761 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,432 in favour of Raceview. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Blackstone and Raceview 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 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.