Blantyre vs Obum Obum, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Blantyre and Obum Obum are both Scenic Rim Regional Council suburbs, sitting 31.9 km and 33.8 km from Ipswich CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $19 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.
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Obum Obum
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Blantyre | Obum Obum | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,376 | $1,376 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,702 | $6,821 | -$119 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,702 | $6,821 | -$119 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,300 | $2,200 | +$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,500 | $1,400 | +$100 |
| Total (driving) | $12,278 | $12,297 | -$19 |
| Total (public transport) | $12,278 | $12,297 | -$19 |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Blantyre | Obum Obum | 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, Blantyre vs Obum Obum (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Blantyre and Obum Obum cost within $19 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $217, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $119 per year. Obum Obum is 33.8 km from Ipswich CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $12,278 and $12,297 a year, so the $19 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,376 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,900 a year.
- Driving commute favours Blantyre by $119 a year, $6,702 against $6,821.
- Building insurance favours Obum Obum by $100 a year, $2,200 against $2,300.
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.
The catchment state school scores 6.4 in Obum Obum against 5.4 in Blantyre, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Blantyre cumulative | Obum Obum cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,278 | $12,297 | $19 |
| Year 3 | $37,950 | $38,009 | $59 |
| Year 5 | $65,186 | $65,286 | $100 |
| Year 10 | $140,754 | $140,971 | $217 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Blantyre or Obum Obum cheaper to live in?
Blantyre is cheaper to run by car at $12,278 per year versus $12,297 for Obum Obum, a difference of $19 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Blantyre and Obum Obum?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,376 in Blantyre (Scenic Rim Regional Council) and $1,376 in Obum Obum (Scenic Rim Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Blantyre and $1,900 in Obum Obum. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Blantyre and Obum Obum?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,702 from Blantyre and $6,821 from Obum Obum to Ipswich CBD (ATO 91c/km). No daily public transport commute is assumed from either suburb, so both are costed by car.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Blantyre and Obum Obum?
At 3% annual cost growth, Blantyre costs a cumulative $140,754 and Obum Obum costs $140,971 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $217 in favour of Blantyre. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Blantyre and Obum Obum suits you better?
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Related comparisons
Sources: Scenic Rim Regional Council and Scenic Rim Regional Council rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.