Boodua vs Yalangur: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Boodua and Yalangur are both Toowoomba Regional Council suburbs, sitting 23.6 km and 20.5 km from Toowoomba CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Yalangur runs $336 a year cheaper than Boodua, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,852.
Over 10 years these two cost about the same to run. The difference here isn't money — it's location, schools and lifestyle.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Boodua
Yalangur
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Boodua | Yalangur | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,444 | $1,444 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,188 | $2,188 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,814 | $5,328 | +$486 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,850 | $2,000 | -$150 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,400 | $1,500 | -$100 |
| Total (driving) | $11,296 | $10,960 | +$336 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,674 | $5,824 | -$150 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Boodua | Yalangur | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,274 | $2,274 | - |
| Unit | $1,870 | $1,870 | - |
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 — Boodua vs Yalangur (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Yalangur costs $336 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,852 in favour of Yalangur.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $486 per year. Boodua is 23.6 km from Toowoomba CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $5,674 and $5,824 a year, so the $336 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,444 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $2,188 a year.
- Driving commute favours Yalangur by $486 a year, $5,328 against $5,814.
- Building insurance favours Boodua by $150 a year, $1,850 against $2,000.
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 5.8 in Boodua against 4.5 in Yalangur, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Boodua cumulative | Yalangur cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,296 | $10,960 | $336 |
| Year 3 | $34,915 | $33,876 | $1,039 |
| Year 5 | $59,972 | $58,188 | $1,784 |
| Year 10 | $129,496 | $125,644 | $3,852 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Boodua or Yalangur cheaper to live in?
Yalangur is cheaper to run by car at $10,960 per year versus $11,296 for Boodua, a difference of $336 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Boodua and Yalangur?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,444 in Boodua (Toowoomba Regional Council) and $1,444 in Yalangur (Toowoomba Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,188 in Boodua and $2,188 in Yalangur. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Boodua and Yalangur?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,814 from Boodua and $5,328 from Yalangur to Toowoomba CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Boodua and $192 from Yalangur.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Boodua and Yalangur?
At 3% annual cost growth, Boodua costs a cumulative $129,496 and Yalangur costs $125,644 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,852 in favour of Yalangur. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Boodua and Yalangur is best to actually live in?
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.
Related comparisons
Sources: Toowoomba Regional Council and Toowoomba Regional Council rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.