Darra vs Oxley, 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 Oxley are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 13.1 km and 11.4 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Darra runs $588 a year cheaper than Oxley, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,741.
Over 10 years the gap between these two is about $6,700, about $13 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Oxley
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Darra | Oxley | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $950 | $950 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $3,828 | $3,416 | +$412 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,450 | $2,450 | -$1,000 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,800 | $2,400 | +$400 |
| Total (driving) | $8,128 | $8,716 | -$588 |
| Total (public transport) | $4,492 | $5,492 | -$1,000 |
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 | Oxley | 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 Oxley (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Darra and Oxley differ by $588 a year by car, but $1,000 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 $412, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $1,000 per year. Oxley carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $1,000 per year, $4,492 from Darra versus $5,492 from Oxley.
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 Oxley by $412 a year, $3,416 against $3,828.
- Building insurance favours Darra by $1,000 a year, $1,450 against $2,450.
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.
Flood risk is rated high in Oxley against low in Darra, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated high in Oxley against medium in Darra, which feeds the insurance estimate. The catchment state school scores 7.3 in Oxley against 5.5 in Darra, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Darra cumulative | Oxley cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,128 | $8,716 | $588 |
| Year 3 | $25,123 | $26,940 | $1,817 |
| Year 5 | $43,153 | $46,274 | $3,121 |
| Year 10 | $93,178 | $99,919 | $6,741 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Darra or Oxley cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Darra runs $8,128 a year by car and Oxley $8,716, but most of the $588 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $412. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Darra and Oxley?
Annual council rates for a house are $950 in Darra (Brisbane City Council) and $950 in Oxley (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Darra and $1,900 in Oxley. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Darra and Oxley?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,828 from Darra and $3,416 from Oxley to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Darra and $192 from Oxley.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Darra and Oxley?
At 3% annual cost growth, Darra costs a cumulative $93,178 and Oxley costs $99,919 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,741 in favour of Darra. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Darra and Oxley 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.