Darra vs Richlands: 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 Richlands are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 13.1 km and 15 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Darra runs $330 a year cheaper than Richlands, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,783.
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 →Darra
Richlands
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Darra | Richlands | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $950 | $950 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,828 | $4,258 | -$430 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,000 | $1,900 | +$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,800 | $2,600 | +$200 |
| Total (driving) | $8,678 | $9,008 | -$330 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,042 | $4,942 | +$100 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Darra | Richlands | 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 Richlands (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Darra costs $330 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,783 in favour of Darra.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $430 per year. Richlands is 15 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, $5,042 and $4,942 a year, so the $330 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 $430 a year, $3,828 against $4,258.
- Building insurance favours Richlands by $100 a year, $1,900 against $2,000.
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 Darra against 3.8 in Richlands, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Darra cumulative | Richlands cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,678 | $9,008 | $330 |
| Year 3 | $26,823 | $27,843 | $1,020 |
| Year 5 | $46,073 | $47,825 | $1,752 |
| Year 10 | $99,484 | $103,267 | $3,783 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Darra or Richlands cheaper to live in?
Darra is cheaper to run by car at $8,678 per year versus $9,008 for Richlands, a difference of $330 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Darra and Richlands?
Annual council rates for a house are $950 in Darra (Brisbane City Council) and $950 in Richlands (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Darra and $1,900 in Richlands. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Darra and Richlands?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,828 from Darra and $4,258 from Richlands to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Darra and $192 from Richlands.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Darra and Richlands?
At 3% annual cost growth, Darra costs a cumulative $99,484 and Richlands costs $103,267 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,783 in favour of Darra. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Darra and Richlands 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: 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 AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.