Caffey vs Upper Tenthill: 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 Upper Tenthill are both Lockyer Valley Regional Council suburbs, sitting 16.7 km and 12.7 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Upper Tenthill runs $655 a year cheaper than Caffey, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $7,509.
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 →Caffey
Upper Tenthill
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Caffey | Upper Tenthill | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,395 | $1,395 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,465 | $3,610 | +$855 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,900 | $3,100 | -$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,660 | $10,005 | +$655 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,387 | $6,587 | -$200 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Caffey | Upper Tenthill | 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 Upper Tenthill (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Upper Tenthill costs $655 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $7,509 in favour of Upper Tenthill.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $855 per year. Caffey is 16.7 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the gap is $200 per year, $6,387 from Caffey versus $6,587 from Upper Tenthill.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Caffey cumulative | Upper Tenthill cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,660 | $10,005 | $655 |
| Year 3 | $32,949 | $30,924 | $2,025 |
| Year 5 | $56,595 | $53,118 | $3,477 |
| Year 10 | $122,205 | $114,696 | $7,509 |
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 $10,005 per year versus $10,660 for Caffey, a difference of $655 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/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 $4,465 from Caffey and $3,610 from Upper Tenthill to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Caffey and $192 from Upper Tenthill.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Caffey and Upper Tenthill?
At 3% annual cost growth, Caffey costs a cumulative $122,205 and Upper Tenthill costs $114,696 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $7,509 in favour of Upper Tenthill. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Caffey and Upper Tenthill 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.