Boronia Heights vs Hillcrest: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Boronia Heights and Hillcrest are both Logan City Council suburbs, sitting 24.3 km and 22.1 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Hillcrest runs $1,173 a year cheaper than Boronia Heights, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $13,448.
Over 10 years, Hillcrest costs about $13,400 less to run than Boronia Heights — the same as paying $13,400 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Hillcrest
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Boronia Heights | Hillcrest | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,699 | $1,699 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,149 | $2,149 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,912 | $5,589 | +$323 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,850 | $2,000 | +$850 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,400 | $2,200 | +$200 |
| Total (driving) | $12,610 | $11,437 | +$1,173 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,890 | $6,040 | +$850 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Boronia Heights | Hillcrest | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,135 | $2,135 | - |
| Unit | $1,776 | $1,776 | - |
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 — Boronia Heights vs Hillcrest (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Hillcrest costs $1,173 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $13,448 in favour of Hillcrest.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $850 per year.
On public transport the gap is $850 per year, $6,890 from Boronia Heights versus $6,040 from Hillcrest.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,699 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $2,149 a year.
- Driving commute favours Hillcrest by $323 a year, $5,589 against $5,912.
- Building insurance favours Hillcrest by $850 a year, $2,000 against $2,850.
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.
Fire risk is rated high in Boronia Heights against medium in Hillcrest, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Boronia Heights cumulative | Hillcrest cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,610 | $11,437 | $1,173 |
| Year 3 | $38,976 | $35,351 | $3,625 |
| Year 5 | $66,948 | $60,721 | $6,227 |
| Year 10 | $144,560 | $131,112 | $13,448 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Boronia Heights or Hillcrest cheaper to live in?
Hillcrest is cheaper to run by car at $11,437 per year versus $12,610 for Boronia Heights, a difference of $1,173 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Boronia Heights and Hillcrest?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,699 in Boronia Heights (Logan City Council) and $1,699 in Hillcrest (Logan City Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,149 in Boronia Heights and $2,149 in Hillcrest. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Boronia Heights and Hillcrest?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,912 from Boronia Heights and $5,589 from Hillcrest to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Boronia Heights and $192 from Hillcrest.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Boronia Heights and Hillcrest?
At 3% annual cost growth, Boronia Heights costs a cumulative $144,560 and Hillcrest costs $131,112 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $13,448 in favour of Hillcrest. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Boronia Heights and Hillcrest 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: Logan City Council and Logan City 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.