True annual cost of living in Somerset Dam, QLD 4312
Living in a house in Somerset Dam costs about $10,239 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. Somerset Dam sits 17.9 kilometres from Esk CBD. Unit costs come in at $10,139, as lower council rates more than offset the $1,400 body corporate levy. The commute is costed by car to Esk, at $4,855 a year, because no daily public transport commute is assumed here.
About $197 a week to run a house here, including estimates
Lower cost
Unit annual cost
$10,139
Incl. body corporate
$845/month
About $195 a week to run a unit here, including estimates
House vs unit difference
−$100
Unit is cheaper per year
Annual cost breakdown
Council rates
Official, 2026-27 Somerset Regional Council
$1,284
Water & sewerage
Official, 2026-27 Queensland Urban Utilities
$1,900
Driving commute
Modelled, 2026-27 ATO 91c/km · 17.9km from Esk CBD · 192 days
$4,855
Home insurance
Estimated flood Low · fire High
$2,200
Body corporate
Estimated
$1,400
Total annual running cost
$10,239
($853/month, $197/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).
↓ 6% below Somerset Regional Council average
SuburbCost affordability score ●●●○○5.1/10 Average
Cheaper to run than 63% of Somerset 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 Somerset Dam'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 Somerset Dam
within a 2 km walk
Nearest stop
No scheduled service within a 2 km walk of the suburb centre.
Supermarkets
0
Cafes
0
Parks
1
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.
Is it cheaper to drive or take public transport from Somerset Dam to Esk CBD?
Public transport options are limited in Somerset Dam; driving is the practical commute at $4,855 per year.
What are the council rates in Somerset Dam?
Somerset Dam falls under Somerset Regional Council. The minimum residential general rate for 2026-27 is $1,284 per year for an owner-occupied house. Properties on higher land value pay more. Unit owners in strata schemes pay $1,284 per year. These figures cover the general rate only and exclude waste and cleansing charges.
What does it cost to run a unit in Somerset Dam?
Running a unit in Somerset Dam costs approximately $10,139 per year by car or $10,139 by public transport. This includes council rates of $1,284, water and sewerage $1,900, estimated body corporate levy of $1,400, and contents insurance of $700. Body corporate fees vary significantly between buildings. Always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.
Is Somerset Dam close to public transport?
No scheduled public transport stop was found within a 2 km walk of the centre of Somerset Dam. 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 Somerset Dam?
Within a 2 km walk of the centre of Somerset Dam there are 0 supermarkets, 0 cafes and 1 park. These counts come from OpenStreetMap via Overpass, which is contributed mapping and can lag a recent opening or closure.
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Included:
Annual cost breakdown
10-year cost projection
School scores & catchments
Flood & fire risk ratings
Crime risk ratings
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Data sources: Council rates: Somerset 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.