Caffey vs Upper Tenthill, 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 Upper Tenthill are both Lockyer Valley Regional Council suburbs, sitting 16.7 km and 12.7 km from Gatton CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Upper Tenthill runs $734 a year cheaper than Caffey, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $8,415.
Over 10 years, Upper Tenthill costs about $8,400 less to run than Caffey. That's about $16 a week.
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Upper Tenthill
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Caffey | Upper Tenthill | 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 | $3,733 | +$884 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $4,617 | $3,733 | +$884 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,400 | $2,550 | -$150 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,312 | $9,578 | +$734 |
| Total (public transport) | $10,312 | $9,578 | +$734 |
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 | Upper Tenthill | 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 Upper Tenthill (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Upper Tenthill costs $734 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $8,415 in favour of Upper Tenthill.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $884 per year. Caffey is 16.7 km from Gatton CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $734 per year, $10,312 from Caffey versus $9,578 from Upper Tenthill.
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 Upper Tenthill by $884 a year, $3,733 against $4,617.
- Building insurance favours Caffey by $150 a year, $2,400 against $2,550.
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 | Upper Tenthill cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,312 | $9,578 | $734 |
| Year 3 | $31,873 | $29,605 | $2,268 |
| Year 5 | $54,748 | $50,851 | $3,897 |
| Year 10 | $118,216 | $109,801 | $8,415 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Caffey or Upper Tenthill cheaper to live in?
Upper Tenthill is cheaper to run by car at $9,578 per year versus $10,312 for Caffey, a difference of $734 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Caffey and Upper Tenthill?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,395 in Caffey (Lockyer Valley Regional Council) and $1,395 in Upper Tenthill (Lockyer Valley Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Caffey and $1,900 in Upper Tenthill. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Caffey and Upper Tenthill?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,617 from Caffey and $3,733 from Upper Tenthill 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 Upper Tenthill?
At 3% annual cost growth, Caffey costs a cumulative $118,216 and Upper Tenthill costs $109,801 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $8,415 in favour of Upper Tenthill. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Caffey and Upper Tenthill 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.