Lark Hill vs Marburg, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Lark Hill (Somerset Regional Council) and Marburg (Ipswich City Council) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas.
The two sit within $161 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 $1,800, about $4 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Marburg
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Lark Hill | Marburg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,284 | $1,298 | -$14 |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,922 | $6,919 | +$3 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,922 | $192 | +$6,730 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,000 | $2,150 | -$150 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,800 | $1,600 | +$200 |
| Total (driving) | $12,106 | $12,267 | -$161 |
| Total (public transport) | $12,106 | $5,540 | +$6,566 |
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 | Lark Hill | Marburg | 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, Lark Hill vs Marburg (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Lark Hill and Marburg differ by $161 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 $11, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $150 per year.
On public transport the gap is $6,566 per year, $12,106 from Lark Hill versus $5,540 from Marburg.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Lark Hill by $14 a year, $1,284 against $1,298.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,900 a year.
- Driving commute favours Marburg by $3 a year, $6,919 against $6,922.
- Building insurance favours Lark Hill by $150 a year, $2,000 against $2,150.
They sit in different council areas, so the rates line is set by two different councils. For QLD that figure is the minimum residential general rate for an owner-occupied principal place of residence, a floor rather than a typical bill.
The catchment state school scores 6.1 in Lark Hill against 3.9 in Marburg, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Lark Hill cumulative | Marburg cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,106 | $12,267 | $161 |
| Year 3 | $37,418 | $37,916 | $498 |
| Year 5 | $64,272 | $65,127 | $855 |
| Year 10 | $138,782 | $140,627 | $1,845 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lark Hill or Marburg cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Lark Hill runs $12,106 a year by car and Marburg $12,267, but most of the $161 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $11. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Lark Hill and Marburg?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,284 in Lark Hill (Somerset Regional Council) and $1,298 in Marburg (Ipswich City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Lark Hill and $1,900 in Marburg. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Lark Hill and Marburg?
Lark Hill is $6,922 a year to drive to Esk CBD (ATO 91c/km). Marburg is $6,919 a year to drive to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Marburg. No daily public transport commute is assumed from Lark Hill, so it is costed by car.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Lark Hill and Marburg?
At 3% annual cost growth, Lark Hill costs a cumulative $138,782 and Marburg costs $140,627 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,845 in favour of Lark Hill. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Lark Hill and Marburg suits you better?
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Sources: Somerset Regional 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.