Booval 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
Booval and Silkstone are both Ipswich City Council suburbs, sitting 28 km and 28.8 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $81 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
Silkstone
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Booval | Silkstone | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,298 | $1,298 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,360 | $6,441 | -$81 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,600 | $2,200 | +$400 |
| Total (driving) | $11,458 | $11,539 | -$81 |
| 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 | 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 — Booval vs Silkstone (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Booval and Silkstone cost within $81 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $929, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $81 per year. Silkstone is 28.8 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 $81 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 $81 a year, $6,360 against $6,441.
- 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.
Fire risk is rated medium in Silkstone against low in Booval, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Booval cumulative | Silkstone cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,458 | $11,539 | $81 |
| Year 3 | $35,416 | $35,666 | $250 |
| Year 5 | $60,832 | $61,262 | $430 |
| Year 10 | $131,353 | $132,282 | $929 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Booval or Silkstone cheaper to live in?
Booval is cheaper to run by car at $11,458 per year versus $11,539 for Silkstone, a difference of $81 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Booval and Silkstone?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,298 in Booval (Ipswich City Council) and $1,298 in Silkstone (Ipswich City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Booval 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 Booval and Silkstone?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,360 from Booval and $6,441 from Silkstone to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Booval and $192 from Silkstone.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Booval and Silkstone?
At 3% annual cost growth, Booval costs a cumulative $131,353 and Silkstone costs $132,282 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $929 in favour of Booval. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Booval 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.