Carpendale vs Iredale, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Carpendale and Iredale are both Lockyer Valley Regional Council suburbs, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Carpendale runs $1,369 a year cheaper than Iredale, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $15,694.
Over 10 years, Carpendale costs about $15,700 less to run than Iredale. That's about $30 a week.
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Iredale
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Carpendale | Iredale | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,395 | $1,395 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $3,709 | $4,678 | -$969 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $3,709 | $4,678 | -$969 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,400 | $2,800 | -$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,400 | $1,600 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $9,404 | $10,773 | -$1,369 |
| Total (public transport) | $9,404 | $10,773 | -$1,369 |
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 | Carpendale | Iredale | 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, Carpendale vs Iredale (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Carpendale costs $1,369 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $15,694 in favour of Carpendale.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $969 per year. Iredale is 17 km from Toowoomba CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $1,369 per year, $9,404 from Carpendale versus $10,773 from Iredale.
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 Carpendale by $969 a year, $3,709 against $4,678.
- Building insurance favours Carpendale by $400 a year, $2,400 against $2,800.
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 | Carpendale cumulative | Iredale cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,404 | $10,773 | $1,369 |
| Year 3 | $29,067 | $33,298 | $4,231 |
| Year 5 | $49,927 | $57,195 | $7,268 |
| Year 10 | $107,806 | $123,500 | $15,694 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Carpendale or Iredale cheaper to live in?
Carpendale is cheaper to run by car at $9,404 per year versus $10,773 for Iredale, a difference of $1,369 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Carpendale and Iredale?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,395 in Carpendale (Lockyer Valley Regional Council) and $1,395 in Iredale (Lockyer Valley Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Carpendale and $1,900 in Iredale. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Carpendale and Iredale?
Carpendale is $3,709 a year to drive to Gatton CBD (ATO 91c/km). Iredale is $4,678 a year to drive to Toowoomba 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 Carpendale and Iredale?
At 3% annual cost growth, Carpendale costs a cumulative $107,806 and Iredale costs $123,500 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $15,694 in favour of Carpendale. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Carpendale and Iredale 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.