Caffey vs Mount Sylvia: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/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 Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Caffey runs $836 a year cheaper than Mount Sylvia, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $9,584.
Over 10 years, Caffey costs about $9,600 less to run than Mount Sylvia — the same as paying $9,600 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Mount Sylvia
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Caffey | Mount Sylvia | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,395 | $1,395 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,465 | $5,201 | -$736 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,900 | $3,000 | -$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,660 | $11,496 | -$836 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,387 | $6,487 | -$100 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Caffey | Mount Sylvia | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $1,976 | $1,976 | - |
| Unit | $1,591 | $1,591 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2025 rates (QLD 30c/kWh, NSW 33c/kWh incl. supply charge; 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 $836 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $9,584 in favour of Caffey.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $736 per year. Mount Sylvia is 20.8 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $6,387 and $6,487 a year, so the $836 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Caffey cumulative | Mount Sylvia cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,660 | $11,496 | $836 |
| Year 3 | $32,949 | $35,533 | $2,584 |
| Year 5 | $56,595 | $61,034 | $4,439 |
| Year 10 | $122,205 | $131,789 | $9,584 |
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 $10,660 per year versus $11,496 for Mount Sylvia, a difference of $836 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/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 $4,465 from Caffey and $5,201 from Mount Sylvia to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Caffey and $192 from Mount Sylvia.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Caffey and Mount Sylvia?
At 3% annual cost growth, Caffey costs a cumulative $122,205 and Mount Sylvia costs $131,789 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $9,584 in favour of Caffey. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Caffey and Mount Sylvia 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: 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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.