Cedar Grove vs Cedar Vale: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Cedar Grove and Cedar Vale are both Logan City Council suburbs, sitting 14.6 km and 12.5 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Cedar Vale runs $369 a year cheaper than Cedar Grove, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,231.
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 →Cedar Grove
Cedar Vale
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Cedar Grove | Cedar Vale | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,816 | $1,816 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,149 | $2,149 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,033 | $3,564 | +$469 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,200 | $3,300 | -$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,600 | $1,600 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,198 | $10,829 | +$369 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,357 | $7,457 | -$100 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Cedar Grove | Cedar Vale | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $1,976 | $1,976 | - |
| Unit | $1,591 | $1,591 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2025 rates (QLD 30c/kWh, NSW 33c/kWh incl. supply charge; 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 Vale costs $369 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,231 in favour of Cedar Vale.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $469 per year. Cedar Grove is 14.6 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,357 and $7,457 a year, so the $369 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Cedar Grove cumulative | Cedar Vale cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,198 | $10,829 | $369 |
| Year 3 | $34,612 | $33,471 | $1,141 |
| Year 5 | $59,452 | $57,493 | $1,959 |
| Year 10 | $128,373 | $124,142 | $4,231 |
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 $10,829 per year versus $11,198 for Cedar Grove, a difference of $369 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/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 $1,816 in Cedar Grove (Logan City Council) and $1,816 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 $4,033 from Cedar Grove and $3,564 from Cedar Vale to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/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 $128,373 and Cedar Vale costs $124,142 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,231 in favour of Cedar Vale. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Cedar Grove and Cedar Vale 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: Logan City Council and Logan City Council rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.