Cawdor vs Glencoe, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Cawdor and Glencoe are both Toowoomba Regional Council suburbs, sitting 11.7 km and 13.8 km from Toowoomba CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Cawdor runs $751 a year cheaper than Glencoe, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $8,609.
Over 10 years, Cawdor costs about $8,600 less to run than Glencoe. That's about $17 a week.
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Glencoe
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Cawdor | Glencoe | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,444 | $1,444 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,188 | $2,188 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $3,490 | $3,991 | -$501 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,550 | $1,800 | -$250 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,000 | $2,000 | - |
| Total (driving) | $8,672 | $9,423 | -$751 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,374 | $5,624 | -$250 |
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 | Cawdor | Glencoe | 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, Cawdor vs Glencoe (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Cawdor costs $751 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $8,609 in favour of Cawdor.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $501 per year. Glencoe is 13.8 km from Toowoomba CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $250 per year, $5,374 from Cawdor versus $5,624 from Glencoe.
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 Cawdor by $501 a year, $3,490 against $3,991.
- Building insurance favours Cawdor by $250 a year, $1,550 against $1,800.
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 | Cawdor cumulative | Glencoe cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,672 | $9,423 | $751 |
| Year 3 | $26,804 | $29,126 | $2,322 |
| Year 5 | $46,041 | $50,028 | $3,987 |
| Year 10 | $99,415 | $108,024 | $8,609 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cawdor or Glencoe cheaper to live in?
Cawdor is cheaper to run by car at $8,672 per year versus $9,423 for Glencoe, a difference of $751 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Cawdor and Glencoe?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,444 in Cawdor (Toowoomba Regional Council) and $1,444 in Glencoe (Toowoomba Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,188 in Cawdor and $2,188 in Glencoe. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Cawdor and Glencoe?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,490 from Cawdor and $3,991 from Glencoe to Toowoomba CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Cawdor and $192 from Glencoe.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Cawdor and Glencoe?
At 3% annual cost growth, Cawdor costs a cumulative $99,415 and Glencoe costs $108,024 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $8,609 in favour of Cawdor. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Cawdor and Glencoe 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.