Flying Fox vs Illinbah, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Flying Fox and Illinbah are both Scenic Rim Regional Council suburbs, sitting 21.6 km and 21.7 km from Beaudesert CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $34 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.
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Illinbah
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Flying Fox | Illinbah | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,376 | $1,376 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $5,510 | $5,526 | -$16 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $5,510 | $5,526 | -$16 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,150 | $2,100 | +$50 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,500 | $1,400 | +$100 |
| Total (driving) | $10,936 | $10,902 | +$34 |
| Total (public transport) | $10,936 | $10,902 | +$34 |
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 | Flying Fox | Illinbah | 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, Flying Fox vs Illinbah (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Flying Fox and Illinbah cost within $34 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $390, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $50 per year.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $10,936 and $10,902 a year, so the $34 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,376 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,900 a year.
- Driving commute favours Flying Fox by $16 a year, $5,510 against $5,526.
- Building insurance favours Illinbah by $50 a year, $2,100 against $2,150.
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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Flying Fox cumulative | Illinbah cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,936 | $10,902 | $34 |
| Year 3 | $33,802 | $33,697 | $105 |
| Year 5 | $58,061 | $57,880 | $181 |
| Year 10 | $125,369 | $124,979 | $390 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Flying Fox or Illinbah cheaper to live in?
Illinbah is cheaper to run by car at $10,902 per year versus $10,936 for Flying Fox, a difference of $34 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Flying Fox and Illinbah?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,376 in Flying Fox (Scenic Rim Regional Council) and $1,376 in Illinbah (Scenic Rim Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Flying Fox and $1,900 in Illinbah. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Flying Fox and Illinbah?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,510 from Flying Fox and $5,526 from Illinbah to Beaudesert CBD (ATO 91c/km). No daily public transport commute is assumed from either suburb, so both are costed by car.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Flying Fox and Illinbah?
At 3% annual cost growth, Flying Fox costs a cumulative $125,369 and Illinbah costs $124,979 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $390 in favour of Illinbah. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Flying Fox and Illinbah suits you better?
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Sources: Scenic Rim Regional Council and Scenic Rim Regional 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.