Cedar Vale vs Woodhill: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Cedar Vale and Woodhill are both Logan City Council suburbs, sitting 12.5 km and 11.6 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Woodhill runs $413 a year cheaper than Cedar Vale, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,734.
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 Vale
Woodhill
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Cedar Vale | Woodhill | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,816 | $1,816 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,149 | $2,149 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,564 | $3,351 | +$213 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,300 | $3,100 | +$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,600 | $1,500 | +$100 |
| Total (driving) | $10,829 | $10,416 | +$413 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,457 | $7,257 | +$200 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Cedar Vale | Woodhill | 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 Vale vs Woodhill (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Woodhill costs $413 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,734 in favour of Woodhill.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $213 per year. Cedar Vale is 12.5 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the gap is $200 per year, $7,457 from Cedar Vale versus $7,257 from Woodhill.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Cedar Vale cumulative | Woodhill cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,829 | $10,416 | $413 |
| Year 3 | $33,471 | $32,195 | $1,276 |
| Year 5 | $57,493 | $55,300 | $2,193 |
| Year 10 | $124,142 | $119,408 | $4,734 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cedar Vale or Woodhill cheaper to live in?
Woodhill is cheaper to run by car at $10,416 per year versus $10,829 for Cedar Vale, a difference of $413 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Cedar Vale and Woodhill?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,816 in Cedar Vale (Logan City Council) and $1,816 in Woodhill (Logan City Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,149 in Cedar Vale and $2,149 in Woodhill. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Cedar Vale and Woodhill?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,564 from Cedar Vale and $3,351 from Woodhill to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Cedar Vale and $192 from Woodhill.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Cedar Vale and Woodhill?
At 3% annual cost growth, Cedar Vale costs a cumulative $124,142 and Woodhill costs $119,408 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,734 in favour of Woodhill. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Cedar Vale and Woodhill 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.
Related comparisons
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.