Cedar Grove vs Cedar Vale, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Cedar Grove and Cedar Vale are both Logan City Council suburbs, sitting 43.6 km and 45.7 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $36 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.
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Cedar Vale
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Cedar Grove | Cedar Vale | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,699 | $1,699 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,149 | $2,149 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,933 | $6,847 | +$86 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,300 | $2,350 | -$50 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,600 | $1,600 | - |
| Total (driving) | $13,081 | $13,045 | +$36 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,340 | $6,390 | -$50 |
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 | Cedar Grove | Cedar Vale | 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, Cedar Grove vs Cedar Vale (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Cedar Grove and Cedar Vale cost within $36 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $413, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $86 per year. Cedar Vale is 45.7 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $6,340 and $6,390 a year, so the $36 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,699 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $2,149 a year.
- Driving commute favours Cedar Vale by $86 a year, $6,847 against $6,933.
- Building insurance favours Cedar Grove by $50 a year, $2,300 against $2,350.
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 | Cedar Grove cumulative | Cedar Vale cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $13,081 | $13,045 | $36 |
| Year 3 | $40,432 | $40,321 | $111 |
| Year 5 | $69,449 | $69,258 | $191 |
| Year 10 | $149,959 | $149,546 | $413 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cedar Grove or Cedar Vale cheaper to live in?
Cedar Vale is cheaper to run by car at $13,045 per year versus $13,081 for Cedar Grove, a difference of $36 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Cedar Grove and Cedar Vale?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,699 in Cedar Grove (Logan City Council) and $1,699 in Cedar Vale (Logan City Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,149 in Cedar Grove and $2,149 in Cedar Vale. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Cedar Grove and Cedar Vale?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,933 from Cedar Grove and $6,847 from Cedar Vale to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Cedar Grove and $192 from Cedar Vale.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Cedar Grove and Cedar Vale?
At 3% annual cost growth, Cedar Grove costs a cumulative $149,959 and Cedar Vale costs $149,546 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $413 in favour of Cedar Vale. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Cedar Grove and Cedar Vale suits you better?
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Sources: Logan City Council and Logan City 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.