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 $15 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 →Borallon
Pine Mountain
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Borallon | Pine Mountain | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,284 | $1,298 | -$14 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,988 | $6,659 | +$329 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,900 | $3,200 | -$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,200 | $2,000 | +$200 |
| Total (driving) | $13,072 | $13,057 | +$15 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,276 | $6,590 | -$314 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; 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 $15 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $172, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $329 per year. Borallon is 40.1 km from Esk CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $314 per year, $6,276 from Borallon versus $6,590 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 $300 a year, $2,900 against $3,200.
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 | $13,072 | $13,057 | $15 |
| Year 3 | $40,404 | $40,358 | $46 |
| Year 5 | $69,401 | $69,321 | $80 |
| Year 10 | $149,856 | $149,684 | $172 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Borallon or Pine Mountain cheaper to live in?
Pine Mountain is cheaper to run by car at $13,057 per year versus $13,072 for Borallon, a difference of $15 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 Borallon and $192 from Pine Mountain.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Borallon and Pine Mountain?
At 3% annual cost growth, Borallon costs a cumulative $149,856 and Pine Mountain costs $149,684 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $172 in favour of Pine Mountain. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Borallon and Pine Mountain 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: 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 AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.