Cawdor vs Highfields: 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 Highfields are both Toowoomba Regional Council suburbs, sitting 11.7 km and 10.6 km from Toowoomba CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $27 a year of each other to run, so running cost is a minor factor here. The decision comes down to schools, risk and lifestyle, all in the free report.
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 →Cawdor
Highfields
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Cawdor | Highfields | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,444 | $1,444 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,188 | $2,188 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,490 | $3,213 | +$277 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,850 | $2,100 | -$250 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,000 | $2,000 | - |
| Total (driving) | $8,972 | $8,945 | +$27 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,674 | $5,924 | -$250 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Cawdor | Highfields | 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 Highfields (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Cawdor and Highfields cost within $27 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $310, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $277 per year. Cawdor is 11.7 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, $5,674 from Cawdor versus $5,924 from Highfields.
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 Highfields by $277 a year, $3,213 against $3,490.
- Building insurance favours Cawdor by $250 a year, $1,850 against $2,100.
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.
Fire risk is rated medium in Highfields against low in Cawdor, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Cawdor cumulative | Highfields cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,972 | $8,945 | $27 |
| Year 3 | $27,732 | $27,648 | $84 |
| Year 5 | $47,634 | $47,490 | $144 |
| Year 10 | $102,854 | $102,544 | $310 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cawdor or Highfields cheaper to live in?
Highfields is cheaper to run by car at $8,945 per year versus $8,972 for Cawdor, a difference of $27 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Cawdor and Highfields?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,444 in Cawdor (Toowoomba Regional Council) and $1,444 in Highfields (Toowoomba Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,188 in Cawdor and $2,188 in Highfields. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Cawdor and Highfields?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,490 from Cawdor and $3,213 from Highfields to Toowoomba CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Cawdor and $192 from Highfields.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Cawdor and Highfields?
At 3% annual cost growth, Cawdor costs a cumulative $102,854 and Highfields costs $102,544 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $310 in favour of Highfields. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Cawdor and Highfields 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.
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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 AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.