Churchill vs Yamanto: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Churchill and Yamanto are both Ipswich City Council suburbs, sitting 32.9 km and 34.6 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $193 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 →Churchill
Yamanto
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Churchill | Yamanto | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,298 | $1,298 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,768 | $6,861 | -$93 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,800 | $2,900 | -$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,400 | $2,200 | +$200 |
| Total (driving) | $12,766 | $12,959 | -$193 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,190 | $6,290 | -$100 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Churchill | Yamanto | 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 — Churchill vs Yamanto (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Churchill and Yamanto cost within $193 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,212, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $100 per year.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $6,190 and $6,290 a year, so the $193 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,298 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,900 a year.
- Driving commute favours Churchill by $93 a year, $6,768 against $6,861.
- Building insurance favours Churchill by $100 a year, $2,800 against $2,900.
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.
The catchment state school scores 5.4 in Yamanto against 3.8 in Churchill, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Churchill cumulative | Yamanto cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,766 | $12,959 | $193 |
| Year 3 | $39,458 | $40,055 | $597 |
| Year 5 | $67,776 | $68,801 | $1,025 |
| Year 10 | $146,348 | $148,560 | $2,212 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Churchill or Yamanto cheaper to live in?
Churchill is cheaper to run by car at $12,766 per year versus $12,959 for Yamanto, a difference of $193 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Churchill and Yamanto?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,298 in Churchill (Ipswich City Council) and $1,298 in Yamanto (Ipswich City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Churchill and $1,900 in Yamanto. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Churchill and Yamanto?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,768 from Churchill and $6,861 from Yamanto to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Churchill and $192 from Yamanto.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Churchill and Yamanto?
At 3% annual cost growth, Churchill costs a cumulative $146,348 and Yamanto costs $148,560 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,212 in favour of Churchill. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Churchill and Yamanto 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: Ipswich City 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.