Kulgun vs Obum Obum, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Kulgun and Obum Obum are both Scenic Rim Regional Council suburbs, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $36 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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Obum Obum
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Kulgun | Obum Obum | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,376 | $1,376 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,635 | $6,821 | -$186 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,635 | $6,821 | -$186 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,350 | $2,200 | +$150 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,500 | $1,400 | +$100 |
| Total (driving) | $12,261 | $12,297 | -$36 |
| Total (public transport) | $12,261 | $12,297 | -$36 |
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 | Kulgun | Obum Obum | 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, Kulgun vs Obum Obum (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Kulgun and Obum Obum cost within $36 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $412, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $186 per year. Obum Obum is 33.8 km from Ipswich CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $12,261 and $12,297 a year, so the $36 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 Kulgun by $186 a year, $6,635 against $6,821.
- Building insurance favours Obum Obum by $150 a year, $2,200 against $2,350.
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 6.4 in Obum Obum against 5.4 in Kulgun, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Kulgun cumulative | Obum Obum cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,261 | $12,297 | $36 |
| Year 3 | $37,898 | $38,009 | $111 |
| Year 5 | $65,095 | $65,286 | $191 |
| Year 10 | $140,559 | $140,971 | $412 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kulgun or Obum Obum cheaper to live in?
Kulgun is cheaper to run by car at $12,261 per year versus $12,297 for Obum Obum, a difference of $36 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Kulgun and Obum Obum?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,376 in Kulgun (Scenic Rim Regional Council) and $1,376 in Obum Obum (Scenic Rim Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Kulgun and $1,900 in Obum Obum. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Kulgun and Obum Obum?
Kulgun is $6,635 a year to drive to Beaudesert CBD (ATO 91c/km). Obum Obum is $6,821 a year to drive to Ipswich 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 Kulgun and Obum Obum?
At 3% annual cost growth, Kulgun costs a cumulative $140,559 and Obum Obum costs $140,971 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $412 in favour of Kulgun. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Kulgun and Obum Obum suits you better?
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: 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.