One Mile vs West Ipswich, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
One Mile and West Ipswich are both Ipswich City Council suburbs, sitting 33.5 km and 32 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $145 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, West Ipswich costs about $1,700 less to run than One Mile. That's about $3 a week.
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West Ipswich
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | One Mile | West Ipswich | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,298 | $1,298 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,804 | $6,709 | +$95 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,150 | $2,100 | +$50 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,800 | $2,200 | +$600 |
| Total (driving) | $12,152 | $12,007 | +$145 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,540 | $5,490 | +$50 |
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 | One Mile | West Ipswich | 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, One Mile vs West Ipswich (2026-27)
What the numbers show
One Mile and West Ipswich cost within $145 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,662, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $95 per year. One Mile is 33.5 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $5,540 and $5,490 a year, so the $145 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,298 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,900 a year.
- Driving commute favours West Ipswich by $95 a year, $6,709 against $6,804.
- Building insurance favours West Ipswich 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.
The catchment state school scores 4.7 in West Ipswich against 2.5 in One Mile, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | One Mile cumulative | West Ipswich cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,152 | $12,007 | $145 |
| Year 3 | $37,561 | $37,112 | $449 |
| Year 5 | $64,517 | $63,747 | $770 |
| Year 10 | $139,309 | $137,647 | $1,662 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is One Mile or West Ipswich cheaper to live in?
West Ipswich is cheaper to run by car at $12,007 per year versus $12,152 for One Mile, a difference of $145 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in One Mile and West Ipswich?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,298 in One Mile (Ipswich City Council) and $1,298 in West Ipswich (Ipswich City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in One Mile and $1,900 in West Ipswich. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between One Mile and West Ipswich?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,804 from One Mile and $6,709 from West Ipswich to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from One Mile and $192 from West Ipswich.
What is the 10-year cost difference between One Mile and West Ipswich?
At 3% annual cost growth, One Mile costs a cumulative $139,309 and West Ipswich costs $137,647 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,662 in favour of West Ipswich. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of One Mile and West Ipswich 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: Ipswich City 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.