Booval vs East Ipswich: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Booval and East Ipswich are both Ipswich City Council suburbs, sitting 28 km and 28.9 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $91 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 →Booval
East Ipswich
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Booval | East Ipswich | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,298 | $1,298 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,360 | $6,451 | -$91 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,600 | $2,200 | +$400 |
| Total (driving) | $11,458 | $11,549 | -$91 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,290 | $5,290 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Booval | East Ipswich | 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 — Booval vs East Ipswich (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Booval and East Ipswich cost within $91 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,043, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $91 per year. East Ipswich is 28.9 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $5,290 and $5,290 a year, so the $91 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
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 Booval by $91 a year, $6,360 against $6,451.
- Building insurance is identical at $1,900 a year.
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.
The catchment state school scores 4.4 in Booval against 3 in East Ipswich, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Booval cumulative | East Ipswich cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,458 | $11,549 | $91 |
| Year 3 | $35,416 | $35,697 | $281 |
| Year 5 | $60,832 | $61,315 | $483 |
| Year 10 | $131,353 | $132,396 | $1,043 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Booval or East Ipswich cheaper to live in?
Booval is cheaper to run by car at $11,458 per year versus $11,549 for East Ipswich, a difference of $91 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Booval and East Ipswich?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,298 in Booval (Ipswich City Council) and $1,298 in East Ipswich (Ipswich City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Booval and $1,900 in East Ipswich. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Booval and East Ipswich?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,360 from Booval and $6,451 from East Ipswich to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Booval and $192 from East Ipswich.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Booval and East Ipswich?
At 3% annual cost growth, Booval costs a cumulative $131,353 and East Ipswich costs $132,396 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,043 in favour of Booval. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Booval and East Ipswich 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: 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.