True annual cost of living in Buaraba South, QLD 4311
Living in a house in Buaraba South costs about $10,631 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. Buaraba South sits 16.3 kilometres from Gatton CBD. Unit costs come in at $9,851, as lower council rates more than offset the $1,300 body corporate levy. The commute is costed by car to Gatton, at $4,536 a year, because no daily public transport commute is assumed here.
About $204 a week to run a house here, including estimates
Lower cost
Unit annual cost
$9,851
Incl. body corporate
$821/month
About $189 a week to run a unit here, including estimates
House vs unit difference
−$780
Unit is cheaper per year
Annual cost breakdown
Council rates
Official, 2026-27 Lockyer Valley Regional Council
$1,395
Water & sewerage
Official, 2026-27 Queensland Urban Utilities
$1,900
Driving commute
Modelled, 2026-27 ATO 91c/km · 16.3km from Gatton CBD · 192 days
$4,536
Home insurance
Estimated flood Low · fire High
$2,800
Body corporate
Estimated
$1,300
Total annual running cost
$10,631
($886/month, $204/week)
Excludes electricity, estimated separately below. Also excludes the state Emergency Management Levy on your rates notice, $127 a year here (levy class E, 2026-27).
Near Lockyer Valley Regional Council average
SuburbCost affordability score ●●○○○4.4/10 Poor
Cheaper to run than 58% of Lockyer Valley Regional Council suburbs. Score blends running cost (50%), schools (20%) and flood & fire risk (30%).
Estimated electricity cost
typical 2-person household
House
$2,135/yr
5,126 kWh
Unit
$1,776/yr
3,845 kWh
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for Buaraba South's climate zone at 2026-27 regulated prices for its electricity network. Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Getting around Buaraba South
within a 2 km walk
Nearest stop
No scheduled service within a 2 km walk of the suburb centre.
Supermarkets
0
Cafes
0
Parks
0
Counted from OpenStreetMap via Overpass inside a 2 km walking radius of the suburb centre, built 2026-11-03. Distances are straight line from that centre, so a specific address can be closer or further. Mapping is contributed and can lag a new opening.
Compare Buaraba South with another suburb
Nearby: No nearby suburbs with data found
Frequently asked questions about Buaraba South
Is it cheaper to drive or take public transport from Buaraba South to Gatton CBD?
Public transport options are limited in Buaraba South; driving is the practical commute at $4,536 per year.
What are the council rates in Buaraba South?
Buaraba South falls under Lockyer Valley Regional Council. The minimum residential general rate for 2026-27 is $1,395 per year for an owner-occupied house. Properties on higher land value pay more. Unit owners in strata schemes pay $1,395 per year. These figures cover the general rate only and exclude waste and cleansing charges.
What does it cost to run a unit in Buaraba South?
Running a unit in Buaraba South costs approximately $9,851 per year by car or $9,851 by public transport. This includes council rates of $1,395, water and sewerage $1,900, estimated body corporate levy of $1,300, and contents insurance of $720. Body corporate fees vary significantly between buildings. Always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.
Is Buaraba South close to public transport?
No scheduled public transport stop was found within a 2 km walk of the centre of Buaraba South. The running cost on this page assumes driving, which is why the commute component is the largest line for most suburbs in this position.
What shops and parks are in Buaraba South?
Within a 2 km walk of the centre of Buaraba South there are 0 supermarkets, 0 cafes and 0 parks. These counts come from OpenStreetMap via Overpass, which is contributed mapping and can lag a recent opening or closure.
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10-year cost projection
School scores & catchments
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Data sources: Council rates: Lockyer Valley Regional Council 2026-27. Water: Queensland Urban Utilities 2026-27. Commute: ATO cents per kilometre rate 2026–27 (91c/km). Insurance: estimated from ACCC 2026 premium rates for the area's cyclone risk on a standard $600,000 home, adjusted for flood and fire, disclosed as estimate. Schools: ACARA ICSEA 2025. Risk: Queensland Globe, QFES. Data last verified September 2026. Cost estimates are for comparison purposes only and do not constitute financial, insurance, or credit advice.