Darra vs Jamboree Heights, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Darra and Jamboree Heights are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 13.1 km and 13.2 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $126 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 the gap between these two is about $1,400, about $3 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Jamboree Heights
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Darra | Jamboree Heights | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $950 | $950 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $3,828 | $3,852 | -$24 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,450 | $1,300 | +$150 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,800 | $2,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $8,128 | $8,002 | +$126 |
| Total (public transport) | $4,492 | $4,342 | +$150 |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Darra | Jamboree Heights | 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, Darra vs Jamboree Heights (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Darra and Jamboree Heights differ by $126 a year by car, but $150 of that is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On the sourced costs, council rates, water and the commute, the gap is $24, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $150 per year.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $4,492 and $4,342 a year, so the $126 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $950 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,900 a year.
- Driving commute favours Darra by $24 a year, $3,828 against $3,852.
- Building insurance favours Jamboree Heights by $150 a year, $1,300 against $1,450.
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.
Fire risk is rated medium in Darra against low in Jamboree Heights, which feeds the insurance estimate. The catchment state school scores 8.6 in Jamboree Heights against 5.5 in Darra, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Darra cumulative | Jamboree Heights cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,128 | $8,002 | $126 |
| Year 3 | $25,123 | $24,733 | $390 |
| Year 5 | $43,153 | $42,484 | $669 |
| Year 10 | $93,178 | $91,734 | $1,444 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Darra or Jamboree Heights cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Darra runs $8,128 a year by car and Jamboree Heights $8,002, but most of the $126 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $24. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Darra and Jamboree Heights?
Annual council rates for a house are $950 in Darra (Brisbane City Council) and $950 in Jamboree Heights (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Darra and $1,900 in Jamboree Heights. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Darra and Jamboree Heights?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,828 from Darra and $3,852 from Jamboree Heights to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Darra and $192 from Jamboree Heights.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Darra and Jamboree Heights?
At 3% annual cost growth, Darra costs a cumulative $93,178 and Jamboree Heights costs $91,734 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,444 in favour of Jamboree Heights. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Darra and Jamboree Heights suits you better?
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Sources: Brisbane City Council and Brisbane City Council rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.