Boonah vs Dugandan: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Boonah and Dugandan are both Scenic Rim Regional Council suburbs, sitting 29.4 km and 31.3 km from Beaudesert CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $239 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 →Boonah
Dugandan
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Boonah | Dugandan | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,376 | $1,376 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,498 | $6,659 | -$161 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,800 | $2,400 | +$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $12,574 | $12,335 | +$239 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,268 | $5,868 | +$400 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Boonah | Dugandan | 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 — Boonah vs Dugandan (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Boonah and Dugandan cost within $239 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,740, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $400 per year.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $6,268 from Boonah versus $5,868 from Dugandan.
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 Boonah by $161 a year, $6,498 against $6,659.
- Building insurance favours Dugandan by $400 a year, $2,400 against $2,800.
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 Boonah against medium in Dugandan, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Boonah cumulative | Dugandan cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,574 | $12,335 | $239 |
| Year 3 | $38,865 | $38,126 | $739 |
| Year 5 | $66,757 | $65,488 | $1,269 |
| Year 10 | $144,147 | $141,407 | $2,740 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Boonah or Dugandan cheaper to live in?
Dugandan is cheaper to run by car at $12,335 per year versus $12,574 for Boonah, a difference of $239 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Boonah and Dugandan?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,376 in Boonah (Scenic Rim Regional Council) and $1,376 in Dugandan (Scenic Rim Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Boonah and $1,900 in Dugandan. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Boonah and Dugandan?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,498 from Boonah and $6,659 from Dugandan to Beaudesert CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Boonah and $192 from Dugandan.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Boonah and Dugandan?
At 3% annual cost growth, Boonah costs a cumulative $144,147 and Dugandan costs $141,407 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,740 in favour of Dugandan. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Boonah and Dugandan 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: 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 AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.