Bunburra vs Wallaces Creek: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Bunburra and Wallaces Creek are both Scenic Rim Regional Council suburbs, sitting 30.8 km and 33.9 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Bunburra runs $500 a year cheaper than Wallaces Creek, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,732.
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 →Bunburra
Wallaces Creek
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bunburra | Wallaces Creek | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,376 | $1,376 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,401 | $6,601 | -$200 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,100 | $3,400 | -$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,400 | $1,300 | +$100 |
| Total (driving) | $12,777 | $13,277 | -$500 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,568 | $6,868 | -$300 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Bunburra | Wallaces Creek | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $1,976 | $1,976 | - |
| Unit | $1,591 | $1,591 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2025 rates (QLD 30c/kWh, NSW 33c/kWh incl. supply charge; unit ≈ 75% of a house). Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Cost breakdown chart
Annual cost breakdown — Bunburra vs Wallaces Creek (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Bunburra costs $500 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,732 in favour of Bunburra.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $300 per year.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $6,568 from Bunburra versus $6,868 from Wallaces Creek.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bunburra cumulative | Wallaces Creek cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,777 | $13,277 | $500 |
| Year 3 | $39,492 | $41,038 | $1,546 |
| Year 5 | $67,835 | $70,489 | $2,654 |
| Year 10 | $146,474 | $152,206 | $5,732 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bunburra or Wallaces Creek cheaper to live in?
Bunburra is cheaper to run by car at $12,777 per year versus $13,277 for Wallaces Creek, a difference of $500 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Bunburra and Wallaces Creek?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,376 in Bunburra (Scenic Rim Regional Council) and $1,376 in Wallaces Creek (Scenic Rim Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Bunburra and $1,900 in Wallaces Creek. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Bunburra and Wallaces Creek?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,401 from Bunburra and $6,601 from Wallaces Creek to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Bunburra and $192 from Wallaces Creek.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bunburra and Wallaces Creek?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bunburra costs a cumulative $146,474 and Wallaces Creek costs $152,206 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,732 in favour of Bunburra. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bunburra and Wallaces Creek 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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.