East Ipswich vs Moores Pocket: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
East Ipswich and Moores Pocket are both Ipswich City Council suburbs, sitting 28.9 km and 27.9 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $52 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 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 →East Ipswich
Moores Pocket
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | East Ipswich | Moores Pocket | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,298 | $1,298 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,451 | $6,349 | +$102 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,900 | $1,950 | -$50 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,200 | $2,200 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,549 | $11,497 | +$52 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,290 | $5,340 | -$50 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | East Ipswich | Moores Pocket | 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 — East Ipswich vs Moores Pocket (2026-27)
What the numbers show
East Ipswich and Moores Pocket cost within $52 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $596, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $102 per year. East Ipswich is 28.9 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, $5,290 and $5,340 a year, so the $52 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,298 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,900 a year.
- Driving commute favours Moores Pocket by $102 a year, $6,349 against $6,451.
- Building insurance favours East Ipswich by $50 a year, $1,900 against $1,950.
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 Moores Pocket against low in East Ipswich, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | East Ipswich cumulative | Moores Pocket cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,549 | $11,497 | $52 |
| Year 3 | $35,697 | $35,536 | $161 |
| Year 5 | $61,315 | $61,039 | $276 |
| Year 10 | $132,396 | $131,800 | $596 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is East Ipswich or Moores Pocket cheaper to live in?
Moores Pocket is cheaper to run by car at $11,497 per year versus $11,549 for East Ipswich, a difference of $52 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in East Ipswich and Moores Pocket?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,298 in East Ipswich (Ipswich City Council) and $1,298 in Moores Pocket (Ipswich City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in East Ipswich and $1,900 in Moores Pocket. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between East Ipswich and Moores Pocket?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,451 from East Ipswich and $6,349 from Moores Pocket to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from East Ipswich and $192 from Moores Pocket.
What is the 10-year cost difference between East Ipswich and Moores Pocket?
At 3% annual cost growth, East Ipswich costs a cumulative $132,396 and Moores Pocket costs $131,800 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $596 in favour of Moores Pocket. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of East Ipswich and Moores Pocket 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: Ipswich City Council and Ipswich 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.