Collingwood Park vs New Chum: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Collingwood Park and New Chum are both Ipswich City Council suburbs, sitting 23.8 km and 25.1 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $226 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 →Collingwood Park
New Chum
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Collingwood Park | New Chum | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,298 | $1,298 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,843 | $6,019 | -$176 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,950 | $3,000 | -$50 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,200 | $2,200 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,991 | $12,217 | -$226 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,340 | $6,390 | -$50 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Collingwood Park | New Chum | 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 — Collingwood Park vs New Chum (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Collingwood Park and New Chum cost within $226 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,591, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $176 per year. New Chum is 25.1 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $6,340 and $6,390 a year, so the $226 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 Collingwood Park by $176 a year, $5,843 against $6,019.
- Building insurance favours Collingwood Park by $50 a year, $2,950 against $3,000.
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 5.5 in Collingwood Park against 2.1 in New Chum, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Collingwood Park cumulative | New Chum cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,991 | $12,217 | $226 |
| Year 3 | $37,063 | $37,762 | $699 |
| Year 5 | $63,662 | $64,862 | $1,200 |
| Year 10 | $137,463 | $140,054 | $2,591 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Collingwood Park or New Chum cheaper to live in?
Collingwood Park is cheaper to run by car at $11,991 per year versus $12,217 for New Chum, a difference of $226 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Collingwood Park and New Chum?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,298 in Collingwood Park (Ipswich City Council) and $1,298 in New Chum (Ipswich City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Collingwood Park and $1,900 in New Chum. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Collingwood Park and New Chum?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,843 from Collingwood Park and $6,019 from New Chum to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Collingwood Park and $192 from New Chum.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Collingwood Park and New Chum?
At 3% annual cost growth, Collingwood Park costs a cumulative $137,463 and New Chum costs $140,054 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,591 in favour of Collingwood Park. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Collingwood Park and New Chum 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: 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.