Compare suburbs Suburbs Council rates Cost of living calculator Electricity calculator About Blog
Map of Buaraba South
16.3 km from Gatton CBD
Home  ·  Suburbs  ·  Buaraba South

True annual cost of living in Buaraba South, QLD 4311

Living in a house in Buaraba South costs about $11,181 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. At 16.3km from Gatton CBD, transport mode shifts the annual total by $4,344. The gap widens as commute costs rise.

Last updated July 2026 · Lockyer Valley Regional Council rates 2026-27, ATO 91c/km, AER electricity benchmarks

3 key insights

Running costs sit near the Lockyer Valley Regional Council average, cheaper than 47% of suburbs in the region.
The commute is the biggest expense at $4,536, roughly 41% of the annual total.
Bushfire risk is rated high here, which lifts home insurance. Full risk detail is in the free report.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →
House annual cost
$11,181
Driving · per year
$932/month
Lower cost
Unit annual cost
$9,851
Incl. body corporate
$821/month
House vs unit difference
−$1,330
Unit is cheaper per year

Annual cost breakdown

Council rates
Lockyer Valley Regional Council 2026-27 · minimum rate
$1,395
Water & sewerage
Queensland Urban Utilities 2026-27
$1,900
Driving commute
ATO 91c/km · 16.3km from Gatton CBD · 192 days
$4,536
Home insurance
Estimated · flood Low · fire High
$3,350
Total annual running cost
$11,181
($932/month)
Near Lockyer Valley Regional Council average
SuburbCost affordability score ●●○○○ 3.8/10 Poor
Cheaper to run than 47% 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 2026-08-07. 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

Frequently asked questions about Buaraba South

Is it cheaper to drive or take public transport from Buaraba South to Gatton CBD?

Public transport saves Buaraba South residents $4,344 per year. Annual commute cost by car is $4,536 versus $192 by public transport using Translink's flat 50 cent fare.

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 $5,507 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.

Compare up to five suburbs.

Free 5-page PDF report. Enter your suburbs below.

Included:
Annual cost breakdown
10-year cost projection
School scores & catchments
Flood & fire risk ratings
Crime risk ratings
AI suburb recommendations
Up to 5 suburbs, side by side
I'm looking at a
When are you planning to buy or move?
We'll never share your email. Unsubscribe anytime.
Opening your report…
Your report is opening in a new tab. Check your inbox if it doesn't appear within a minute.
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: AI-estimated, disclosed as estimate. Schools: ACARA ICSEA 2025. Risk: Queensland Globe, QFES. Data updated 2026-07.
Cost estimates are for comparison purposes only and do not constitute financial, insurance, or credit advice.