Eastern Heights vs Silkstone: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Eastern Heights and Silkstone are both Ipswich City Council suburbs, sitting 30.2 km and 28.8 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $21 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 →Eastern Heights
Silkstone
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Eastern Heights | Silkstone | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,298 | $1,298 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,570 | $6,441 | +$129 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,750 | $1,900 | -$150 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $2,200 | -$400 |
| Total (driving) | $11,518 | $11,539 | -$21 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,140 | $5,290 | -$150 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Eastern Heights | Silkstone | 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 — Eastern Heights vs Silkstone (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Eastern Heights and Silkstone cost within $21 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $241, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $150 per year.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $5,140 and $5,290 a year, so the $21 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 Silkstone by $129 a year, $6,441 against $6,570.
- Building insurance favours Eastern Heights by $150 a year, $1,750 against $1,900.
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 Silkstone against low in Eastern Heights, which feeds the insurance estimate. The catchment state school scores 5.5 in Eastern Heights against 4.4 in Silkstone, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Eastern Heights cumulative | Silkstone cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,518 | $11,539 | $21 |
| Year 3 | $35,601 | $35,666 | $65 |
| Year 5 | $61,151 | $61,262 | $111 |
| Year 10 | $132,041 | $132,282 | $241 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Eastern Heights or Silkstone cheaper to live in?
Eastern Heights is cheaper to run by car at $11,518 per year versus $11,539 for Silkstone, a difference of $21 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Eastern Heights and Silkstone?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,298 in Eastern Heights (Ipswich City Council) and $1,298 in Silkstone (Ipswich City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Eastern Heights and $1,900 in Silkstone. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Eastern Heights and Silkstone?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,570 from Eastern Heights and $6,441 from Silkstone to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Eastern Heights and $192 from Silkstone.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Eastern Heights and Silkstone?
At 3% annual cost growth, Eastern Heights costs a cumulative $132,041 and Silkstone costs $132,282 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $241 in favour of Eastern Heights. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Eastern Heights and Silkstone 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: 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.