Monarch Glen vs Silverbark Ridge, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Monarch Glen and Silverbark Ridge are both Logan City Council suburbs, sitting 39.7 km and 35.8 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $226 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 $2,600, about $5 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Silverbark Ridge
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Monarch Glen | Silverbark Ridge | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,699 | $1,699 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,149 | $2,149 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,988 | $6,912 | +$76 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,300 | $2,150 | +$150 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,600 | $1,800 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $13,136 | $12,910 | +$226 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,340 | $6,190 | +$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 | Monarch Glen | Silverbark Ridge | 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, Monarch Glen vs Silverbark Ridge (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Monarch Glen and Silverbark Ridge differ by $226 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 $76, 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, $6,340 and $6,190 a year, so the $226 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,699 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $2,149 a year.
- Driving commute favours Silverbark Ridge by $76 a year, $6,912 against $6,988.
- Building insurance favours Silverbark Ridge by $150 a year, $2,150 against $2,300.
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 | Monarch Glen cumulative | Silverbark Ridge cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $13,136 | $12,910 | $226 |
| Year 3 | $40,602 | $39,904 | $698 |
| Year 5 | $69,741 | $68,541 | $1,200 |
| Year 10 | $150,590 | $147,999 | $2,591 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Monarch Glen or Silverbark Ridge cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Monarch Glen runs $13,136 a year by car and Silverbark Ridge $12,910, but most of the $226 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $76. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Monarch Glen and Silverbark Ridge?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,699 in Monarch Glen (Logan City Council) and $1,699 in Silverbark Ridge (Logan City Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,149 in Monarch Glen and $2,149 in Silverbark Ridge. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Monarch Glen and Silverbark Ridge?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,988 from Monarch Glen and $6,912 from Silverbark Ridge to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Monarch Glen and $192 from Silverbark Ridge.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Monarch Glen and Silverbark Ridge?
At 3% annual cost growth, Monarch Glen costs a cumulative $150,590 and Silverbark Ridge costs $147,999 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,591 in favour of Silverbark Ridge. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Monarch Glen and Silverbark Ridge suits you better?
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Sources: Logan City Council and Logan 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.