Carrington vs Wilsonton, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Carrington and Wilsonton are both Toowoomba Regional Council suburbs, sitting 5.5 km and 3.8 km from Toowoomba CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Wilsonton runs $325 a year cheaper than Carrington, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,726.
Over 10 years the gap between these two is about $3,700, about $7 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Wilsonton
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Carrington | Wilsonton | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,444 | $1,444 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,188 | $2,188 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,790 | $1,265 | +$525 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,550 | $1,750 | -$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,800 | $2,000 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $6,972 | $6,647 | +$325 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,374 | $5,574 | -$200 |
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 | Carrington | Wilsonton | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,274 | $2,274 | - |
| Unit | $1,870 | $1,870 | - |
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, Carrington vs Wilsonton (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Carrington and Wilsonton differ by $325 a year by car, but $200 of that is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On the sourced costs, council rates, water and the commute, the gap is $525, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $525 per year. Carrington is 5.5 km from Toowoomba CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $200 per year, $5,374 from Carrington versus $5,574 from Wilsonton.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,444 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $2,188 a year.
- Driving commute favours Wilsonton by $525 a year, $1,265 against $1,790.
- Building insurance favours Carrington by $200 a year, $1,550 against $1,750.
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 | Carrington cumulative | Wilsonton cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $6,972 | $6,647 | $325 |
| Year 3 | $21,550 | $20,545 | $1,005 |
| Year 5 | $37,015 | $35,290 | $1,725 |
| Year 10 | $79,926 | $76,200 | $3,726 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Carrington or Wilsonton cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Carrington runs $6,972 a year by car and Wilsonton $6,647, but most of the $325 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $525. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Carrington and Wilsonton?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,444 in Carrington (Toowoomba Regional Council) and $1,444 in Wilsonton (Toowoomba Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,188 in Carrington and $2,188 in Wilsonton. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Carrington and Wilsonton?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,790 from Carrington and $1,265 from Wilsonton to Toowoomba CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Carrington and $192 from Wilsonton.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Carrington and Wilsonton?
At 3% annual cost growth, Carrington costs a cumulative $79,926 and Wilsonton costs $76,200 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,726 in favour of Wilsonton. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Carrington and Wilsonton suits you better?
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Sources: Toowoomba Regional Council and Toowoomba 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.