Lark Hill vs Tarampa, 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 and Tarampa are both Somerset Regional Council suburbs, sitting 36.1 km and 31.5 km from Esk CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $249 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, Tarampa costs about $2,900 less to run than Lark Hill. That's about $5 a week.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict → Personalise this comparison with your own commute, home type and loan →Lark Hill
Tarampa
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Lark Hill | Tarampa | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,284 | $1,284 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,922 | $6,673 | +$249 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,922 | $6,673 | +$249 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,000 | $2,000 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,800 | $1,400 | +$400 |
| Total (driving) | $12,106 | $11,857 | +$249 |
| Total (public transport) | $12,106 | $11,857 | +$249 |
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 | Tarampa | 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 Tarampa (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Lark Hill and Tarampa cost within $249 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,855, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $249 per year. Lark Hill is 36.1 km from Esk CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $249 per year, $12,106 from Lark Hill versus $11,857 from Tarampa.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,284 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,900 a year.
- Driving commute favours Tarampa by $249 a year, $6,673 against $6,922.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,000 a year.
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.
The catchment state school scores 6.1 in Lark Hill against 5 in Tarampa, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Lark Hill cumulative | Tarampa cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,106 | $11,857 | $249 |
| Year 3 | $37,418 | $36,649 | $769 |
| Year 5 | $64,272 | $62,950 | $1,322 |
| Year 10 | $138,782 | $135,927 | $2,855 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lark Hill or Tarampa cheaper to live in?
Tarampa is cheaper to run by car at $11,857 per year versus $12,106 for Lark Hill, a difference of $249 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Lark Hill and Tarampa?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,284 in Lark Hill (Somerset Regional Council) and $1,284 in Tarampa (Somerset Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Lark Hill and $1,900 in Tarampa. 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 Tarampa?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,922 from Lark Hill and $6,673 from Tarampa to Esk 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 Lark Hill and Tarampa?
At 3% annual cost growth, Lark Hill costs a cumulative $138,782 and Tarampa costs $135,927 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,855 in favour of Tarampa. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Lark Hill and Tarampa 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: Somerset Regional Council and Somerset 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.