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28.0 km from CBD
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True annual cost of living in Darlington, QLD 4285

Darlington sits 28.0 kilometres from Brisbane CBD. Annual running costs for a house total $8,689, covering council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance. Unit costs come in at $8,009, as lower council rates more than offset the $1,800 body corporate levy. At 28.0km from the CBD, transport mode shifts the annual total by $2,173. The gap widens as commute costs rise.

Annual cost — house
$8,689
Driving · per year
$724/month
Lower cost
Annual cost — unit
$8,009
Incl. body corporate
$667/month
House vs unit difference
−$680
Unit is cheaper per year
Annual cost breakdown
Council rates
Scenic Rim Regional Council 2025-26
$1,300
Water & sewerage
Queensland Urban Utilities 2025-26
$1,824
Commute — driving
ATO 88c/km · 28.0km from CBD · 192 days
$2,365
Home insurance
Estimated — flood Low, fire High
$3,200
Total annual running cost
$8,689
($724/month)
↓ 7% below Scenic Rim Regional Council average
SuburbCost affordability score ●●●○○ 5.3/10
Compare Darlington with another suburb
Is it cheaper to drive or take public transport from Darlington to the CBD?
Public transport saves Darlington residents $2,173 per year. Annual commute cost by car is $2,365 versus $192 by public transport using Translink's flat 50 cent fare.
What are the council rates in Darlington?
Darlington falls under Scenic Rim Regional Council. The residential general rate for 2025–26 is $1,300 per year for an owner-occupied house. Unit owners in strata schemes pay $1,300 per year. These figures cover the general rate only and exclude waste and cleansing charges.
What does it cost to run a unit in Darlington?
Running a unit in Darlington costs approximately $8,009 per year by car or $5,836 by public transport. This includes council rates of $1,300, water and sewerage $1,824, estimated body corporate levy of $1,800, and contents insurance of $720. Body corporate fees vary significantly between buildings — always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.

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Data sources: Council rates: Scenic Rim Regional Council 2025-26. Water: Queensland Urban Utilities 2025-26. Commute: ATO cents per kilometre rate 2025–26 (88c/km). Insurance: AI-estimated, disclosed as estimate. Schools: ACARA NAPLAN 2025. Risk: Queensland Globe, QFES. Data updated July 2025.
Cost estimates are for comparison purposes only and do not constitute financial, insurance, or credit advice.