Boonah vs Kents Pocket: 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 Kents Pocket are both Scenic Rim Regional Council suburbs, sitting 29.4 km and 32.6 km from Beaudesert CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Boonah runs $452 a year cheaper than Kents Pocket, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,181.
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
Kents Pocket
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Boonah | Kents Pocket | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,376 | $1,376 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,498 | $6,750 | -$252 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,800 | $3,000 | -$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,400 | +$100 |
| Total (driving) | $12,574 | $13,026 | -$452 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,268 | $6,468 | -$200 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Boonah | Kents Pocket | 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 Kents Pocket (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Boonah costs $452 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,181 in favour of Boonah.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $252 per year. Kents Pocket is 32.6 km from Beaudesert CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $200 per year, $6,268 from Boonah versus $6,468 from Kents Pocket.
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 $252 a year, $6,498 against $6,750.
- Building insurance favours Boonah by $200 a year, $2,800 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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Boonah cumulative | Kents Pocket cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,574 | $13,026 | $452 |
| Year 3 | $38,865 | $40,262 | $1,397 |
| Year 5 | $66,757 | $69,157 | $2,400 |
| Year 10 | $144,147 | $149,328 | $5,181 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Boonah or Kents Pocket cheaper to live in?
Boonah is cheaper to run by car at $12,574 per year versus $13,026 for Kents Pocket, a difference of $452 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Boonah and Kents Pocket?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,376 in Boonah (Scenic Rim Regional Council) and $1,376 in Kents Pocket (Scenic Rim Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Boonah and $1,900 in Kents Pocket. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Boonah and Kents Pocket?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,498 from Boonah and $6,750 from Kents Pocket to Beaudesert CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Boonah and $192 from Kents Pocket.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Boonah and Kents Pocket?
At 3% annual cost growth, Boonah costs a cumulative $144,147 and Kents Pocket costs $149,328 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,181 in favour of Boonah. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Boonah and Kents Pocket 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.