Darra vs Seventeen Mile Rocks: 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 Seventeen Mile Rocks are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 13.1 km and 11 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Darra runs $1,304 a year cheaper than Seventeen Mile Rocks, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $14,949.
Over 10 years, Darra costs about $14,900 less to run than Seventeen Mile Rocks — the same as paying $14,900 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Darra
Seventeen Mile Rocks
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Darra | Seventeen Mile Rocks | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,579 | $1,579 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,702 | $3,206 | +$496 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,000 | $3,800 | -$1,800 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,800 | $2,400 | +$400 |
| Total (driving) | $9,181 | $10,485 | -$1,304 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,671 | $7,471 | -$1,800 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Darra | Seventeen Mile Rocks | 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 Seventeen Mile Rocks (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Darra costs $1,304 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $14,949 in favour of Darra.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $1,800 per year. Seventeen Mile Rocks carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $1,800 per year, $5,671 from Darra versus $7,471 from Seventeen Mile Rocks.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Darra cumulative | Seventeen Mile Rocks cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,181 | $10,485 | $1,304 |
| Year 3 | $28,378 | $32,408 | $4,030 |
| Year 5 | $48,743 | $55,666 | $6,923 |
| Year 10 | $105,250 | $120,199 | $14,949 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Darra or Seventeen Mile Rocks cheaper to live in?
Darra is cheaper to run by car at $9,181 per year versus $10,485 for Seventeen Mile Rocks, a difference of $1,304 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Darra and Seventeen Mile Rocks?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,579 in Darra (Brisbane City Council) and $1,579 in Seventeen Mile Rocks (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Darra and $1,900 in Seventeen Mile Rocks. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Darra and Seventeen Mile Rocks?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,702 from Darra and $3,206 from Seventeen Mile Rocks to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Darra and $192 from Seventeen Mile Rocks.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Darra and Seventeen Mile Rocks?
At 3% annual cost growth, Darra costs a cumulative $105,250 and Seventeen Mile Rocks costs $120,199 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $14,949 in favour of Darra. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Darra and Seventeen Mile Rocks 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.