Bunjurgen vs Frenches Creek: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Bunjurgen and Frenches Creek are both Scenic Rim Regional Council suburbs, sitting 37 km and 35.2 km from Beaudesert CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $139 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 →Bunjurgen
Frenches Creek
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bunjurgen | Frenches Creek | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,376 | $1,376 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,949 | $6,888 | +$61 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,200 | $3,400 | -$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,300 | $1,400 | -$100 |
| Total (driving) | $13,425 | $13,564 | -$139 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,668 | $6,868 | -$200 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Bunjurgen | Frenches Creek | 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 — Bunjurgen vs Frenches Creek (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Bunjurgen and Frenches Creek cost within $139 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,593, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $200 per year.
On public transport the gap is $200 per year, $6,668 from Bunjurgen versus $6,868 from Frenches Creek.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,376 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,900 a year.
- Driving commute favours Frenches Creek by $61 a year, $6,888 against $6,949.
- Building insurance favours Bunjurgen by $200 a year, $3,200 against $3,400.
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 and the insurance band.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bunjurgen cumulative | Frenches Creek cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $13,425 | $13,564 | $139 |
| Year 3 | $41,495 | $41,925 | $430 |
| Year 5 | $71,275 | $72,013 | $738 |
| Year 10 | $153,903 | $155,496 | $1,593 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bunjurgen or Frenches Creek cheaper to live in?
Bunjurgen is cheaper to run by car at $13,425 per year versus $13,564 for Frenches Creek, a difference of $139 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Bunjurgen and Frenches Creek?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,376 in Bunjurgen (Scenic Rim Regional Council) and $1,376 in Frenches Creek (Scenic Rim Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Bunjurgen and $1,900 in Frenches Creek. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Bunjurgen and Frenches Creek?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,949 from Bunjurgen and $6,888 from Frenches Creek to Beaudesert CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Bunjurgen and $192 from Frenches Creek.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bunjurgen and Frenches Creek?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bunjurgen costs a cumulative $153,903 and Frenches Creek costs $155,496 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,593 in favour of Bunjurgen. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bunjurgen and Frenches 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.
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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 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.