Darra vs Richlands: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/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 $316 a year cheaper than Richlands, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,622.
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 | $1,579 | $1,579 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,702 | $4,118 | -$416 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,000 | $1,900 | +$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,800 | $2,600 | +$200 |
| Total (driving) | $9,181 | $9,497 | -$316 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,671 | $5,571 | +$100 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Darra | Richlands | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $1,976 | $1,976 | - |
| Unit | $1,591 | $1,591 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2025 rates (QLD 30c/kWh, NSW 33c/kWh incl. supply charge; 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 $316 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,622 in favour of Darra.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $416 per year. Richlands is 15 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $5,671 and $5,571 a year, so the $316 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Darra cumulative | Richlands cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,181 | $9,497 | $316 |
| Year 3 | $28,378 | $29,354 | $976 |
| Year 5 | $48,743 | $50,421 | $1,678 |
| Year 10 | $105,250 | $108,872 | $3,622 |
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 $9,181 per year versus $9,497 for Richlands, a difference of $316 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Darra and Richlands?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,579 in Darra (Brisbane City Council) and $1,579 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 $3,702 from Darra and $4,118 from Richlands to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/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 $105,250 and Richlands costs $108,872 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,622 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.
Related comparisons
Sources: Brisbane City Council and Brisbane City Council rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.