Churchill vs Ipswich: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Churchill and Ipswich are both Ipswich City Council suburbs, sitting 32.9 km and 31.2 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Churchill runs $2,286 a year cheaper than Ipswich, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $26,207.
Over 10 years, Churchill costs about $26,200 less to run than Ipswich — the same as paying $26,200 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Ipswich
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Churchill | Ipswich | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,298 | $1,298 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,545 | $6,431 | +$114 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,800 | $5,200 | -$2,400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,400 | $2,200 | +$200 |
| Total (driving) | $12,543 | $14,829 | -$2,286 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,190 | $8,590 | -$2,400 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Churchill | Ipswich | 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 — Churchill vs Ipswich (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Churchill costs $2,286 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $26,207 in favour of Churchill.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $2,400 per year. Ipswich carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $2,400 per year, $6,190 from Churchill versus $8,590 from Ipswich.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Churchill cumulative | Ipswich cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,543 | $14,829 | $2,286 |
| Year 3 | $38,769 | $45,835 | $7,066 |
| Year 5 | $66,592 | $78,729 | $12,137 |
| Year 10 | $143,791 | $169,998 | $26,207 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Churchill or Ipswich cheaper to live in?
Churchill is cheaper to run by car at $12,543 per year versus $14,829 for Ipswich, a difference of $2,286 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Churchill and Ipswich?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,298 in Churchill (Ipswich City Council) and $1,298 in Ipswich (Ipswich City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Churchill and $1,900 in Ipswich. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Churchill and Ipswich?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,545 from Churchill and $6,431 from Ipswich to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Churchill and $192 from Ipswich.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Churchill and Ipswich?
At 3% annual cost growth, Churchill costs a cumulative $143,791 and Ipswich costs $169,998 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $26,207 in favour of Churchill. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Churchill and Ipswich is best to actually live in?
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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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.