Caffey vs Mount Sylvia, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Caffey and Mount Sylvia are both Lockyer Valley Regional Council suburbs, sitting 16.7 km and 20.8 km from Gatton CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Caffey runs $861 a year cheaper than Mount Sylvia, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $9,870.
Over 10 years, Caffey costs about $9,900 less to run than Mount Sylvia. That's about $19 a week.
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Mount Sylvia
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Caffey | Mount Sylvia | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,395 | $1,395 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $4,617 | $5,378 | -$761 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $4,617 | $5,378 | -$761 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,400 | $2,500 | -$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,312 | $11,173 | -$861 |
| Total (public transport) | $10,312 | $11,173 | -$861 |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Caffey | Mount Sylvia | 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, Caffey vs Mount Sylvia (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Caffey costs $861 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $9,870 in favour of Caffey.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $761 per year. Mount Sylvia is 20.8 km from Gatton CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $861 per year, $10,312 from Caffey versus $11,173 from Mount Sylvia.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,395 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,900 a year.
- Driving commute favours Caffey by $761 a year, $4,617 against $5,378.
- Building insurance favours Caffey by $100 a year, $2,400 against $2,500.
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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Caffey cumulative | Mount Sylvia cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,312 | $11,173 | $861 |
| Year 3 | $31,873 | $34,535 | $2,662 |
| Year 5 | $54,748 | $59,319 | $4,571 |
| Year 10 | $118,216 | $128,086 | $9,870 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Caffey or Mount Sylvia cheaper to live in?
Caffey is cheaper to run by car at $10,312 per year versus $11,173 for Mount Sylvia, a difference of $861 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Caffey and Mount Sylvia?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,395 in Caffey (Lockyer Valley Regional Council) and $1,395 in Mount Sylvia (Lockyer Valley Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Caffey and $1,900 in Mount Sylvia. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Caffey and Mount Sylvia?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,617 from Caffey and $5,378 from Mount Sylvia to Gatton CBD (ATO 91c/km). No daily public transport commute is assumed from either suburb, so both are costed by car.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Caffey and Mount Sylvia?
At 3% annual cost growth, Caffey costs a cumulative $118,216 and Mount Sylvia costs $128,086 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $9,870 in favour of Caffey. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Caffey and Mount Sylvia suits you better?
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Sources: Lockyer Valley Regional Council and Lockyer Valley Regional Council rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.