Borallon vs Pine Mountain, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Borallon (Somerset Regional Council) and Pine Mountain (Ipswich City Council) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas.
The two sit within $85 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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Pine Mountain
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Borallon | Pine Mountain | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,284 | $1,298 | -$14 |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,988 | $6,659 | +$329 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,988 | $192 | +$6,796 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,000 | $2,400 | -$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,200 | $2,000 | +$200 |
| Total (driving) | $12,172 | $12,257 | -$85 |
| Total (public transport) | $12,172 | $5,790 | +$6,382 |
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 | Borallon | Pine Mountain | 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, Borallon vs Pine Mountain (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Borallon and Pine Mountain cost within $85 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $975, 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 $6,382 per year, $12,172 from Borallon versus $5,790 from Pine Mountain.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Borallon by $14 a year, $1,284 against $1,298.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,900 a year.
- Driving commute favours Pine Mountain by $329 a year, $6,659 against $6,988.
- Building insurance favours Borallon by $400 a year, $2,000 against $2,400.
They sit in different council areas, so the rates line is set by two different councils. For QLD that figure is the minimum residential general rate for an owner-occupied principal place of residence, a floor rather than a typical bill.
The catchment state school scores 6.1 in Borallon against 3.5 in Pine Mountain, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Borallon cumulative | Pine Mountain cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,172 | $12,257 | $85 |
| Year 3 | $37,622 | $37,885 | $263 |
| Year 5 | $64,623 | $65,074 | $451 |
| Year 10 | $139,538 | $140,513 | $975 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Borallon or Pine Mountain cheaper to live in?
Borallon is cheaper to run by car at $12,172 per year versus $12,257 for Pine Mountain, a difference of $85 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Borallon and Pine Mountain?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,284 in Borallon (Somerset Regional Council) and $1,298 in Pine Mountain (Ipswich City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Borallon and $1,900 in Pine Mountain. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Borallon and Pine Mountain?
Borallon is $6,988 a year to drive to Esk CBD (ATO 91c/km). Pine Mountain is $6,659 a year to drive to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Pine Mountain. No daily public transport commute is assumed from Borallon, so it is costed by car.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Borallon and Pine Mountain?
At 3% annual cost growth, Borallon costs a cumulative $139,538 and Pine Mountain costs $140,513 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $975 in favour of Borallon. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Borallon and Pine Mountain suits you better?
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Related comparisons
Sources: Somerset Regional 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 insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.