Blackstone vs Silkstone: 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 Silkstone are both Ipswich City Council suburbs, sitting 28.2 km and 28.8 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Silkstone runs $1,039 a year cheaper than Blackstone, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $11,911.
Over 10 years, Silkstone costs about $11,900 less to run than Blackstone — the same as paying $11,900 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Silkstone
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Blackstone | Silkstone | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,298 | $1,298 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,380 | $6,441 | -$61 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,000 | $1,900 | +$1,100 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,000 | $2,200 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $12,578 | $11,539 | +$1,039 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,390 | $5,290 | +$1,100 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Blackstone | Silkstone | 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 Silkstone (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Silkstone costs $1,039 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $11,911 in favour of Silkstone.
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 Silkstone.
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 $61 a year, $6,380 against $6,441.
- Building insurance favours Silkstone by $1,100 a year, $1,900 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 Silkstone, which feeds the insurance estimate. The catchment state school scores 4.4 in Silkstone against 3.4 in Blackstone, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Blackstone cumulative | Silkstone cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,578 | $11,539 | $1,039 |
| Year 3 | $38,877 | $35,666 | $3,211 |
| Year 5 | $66,778 | $61,262 | $5,516 |
| Year 10 | $144,193 | $132,282 | $11,911 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Blackstone or Silkstone cheaper to live in?
Silkstone is cheaper to run by car at $11,539 per year versus $12,578 for Blackstone, a difference of $1,039 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Blackstone and Silkstone?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,298 in Blackstone (Ipswich City Council) and $1,298 in Silkstone (Ipswich City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Blackstone and $1,900 in Silkstone. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Blackstone and Silkstone?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,380 from Blackstone and $6,441 from Silkstone to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Blackstone and $192 from Silkstone.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Blackstone and Silkstone?
At 3% annual cost growth, Blackstone costs a cumulative $144,193 and Silkstone costs $132,282 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $11,911 in favour of Silkstone. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Blackstone and Silkstone 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.