Ebbw Vale vs New Chum, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Ebbw Vale and New Chum are both Ipswich City Council suburbs, sitting 25 km and 25.1 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $163 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 the gap between these two is about $1,900, about $4 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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New Chum
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Ebbw Vale | New Chum | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,298 | $1,298 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,006 | $6,019 | -$13 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,100 | $2,250 | -$150 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,200 | $2,200 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,304 | $11,467 | -$163 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,490 | $5,640 | -$150 |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Ebbw Vale | New Chum | 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, Ebbw Vale vs New Chum (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Ebbw Vale and New Chum differ by $163 a year by car, but $150 of that is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On the sourced costs, council rates, water and the commute, the gap is $13, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $150 per year.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $5,490 and $5,640 a year, so the $163 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 Ebbw Vale by $13 a year, $6,006 against $6,019.
- Building insurance favours Ebbw Vale by $150 a year, $2,100 against $2,250.
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 3.4 in Ebbw Vale against 2.1 in New Chum, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Ebbw Vale cumulative | New Chum cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,304 | $11,467 | $163 |
| Year 3 | $34,940 | $35,443 | $503 |
| Year 5 | $60,014 | $60,880 | $866 |
| Year 10 | $129,588 | $131,456 | $1,868 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ebbw Vale or New Chum cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Ebbw Vale runs $11,304 a year by car and New Chum $11,467, but most of the $163 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $13. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Ebbw Vale and New Chum?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,298 in Ebbw Vale (Ipswich City Council) and $1,298 in New Chum (Ipswich City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Ebbw Vale and $1,900 in New Chum. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Ebbw Vale and New Chum?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,006 from Ebbw Vale and $6,019 from New Chum to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Ebbw Vale and $192 from New Chum.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Ebbw Vale and New Chum?
At 3% annual cost growth, Ebbw Vale costs a cumulative $129,588 and New Chum costs $131,456 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,868 in favour of Ebbw Vale. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Ebbw Vale and New Chum suits you better?
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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 insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.