Centenary Heights vs Kearneys Spring: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Centenary Heights and Kearneys Spring are both Toowoomba Regional Council suburbs, sitting 3.2 km and 5 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Centenary Heights runs $646 a year cheaper than Kearneys Spring, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $7,405.
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 →Centenary Heights
Kearneys Spring
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Centenary Heights | Kearneys Spring | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,444 | $1,444 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,188 | $2,188 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $1,038 | $1,584 | -$546 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,900 | $2,000 | -$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,200 | $2,000 | +$200 |
| Total (driving) | $6,570 | $7,216 | -$646 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,724 | $5,824 | -$100 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Centenary Heights | Kearneys Spring | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,115 | $2,115 | - |
| Unit | $1,696 | $1,696 | - |
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 — Centenary Heights vs Kearneys Spring (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Centenary Heights costs $646 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $7,405 in favour of Centenary Heights.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $546 per year. Kearneys Spring is 5 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, $5,724 and $5,824 a year, so the $646 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Centenary Heights cumulative | Kearneys Spring cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $6,570 | $7,216 | $646 |
| Year 3 | $20,307 | $22,304 | $1,997 |
| Year 5 | $34,881 | $38,311 | $3,430 |
| Year 10 | $75,318 | $82,723 | $7,405 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Centenary Heights or Kearneys Spring cheaper to live in?
Centenary Heights is cheaper to run by car at $6,570 per year versus $7,216 for Kearneys Spring, a difference of $646 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Centenary Heights and Kearneys Spring?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,444 in Centenary Heights (Toowoomba Regional Council) and $1,444 in Kearneys Spring (Toowoomba Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,188 in Centenary Heights and $2,188 in Kearneys Spring. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Centenary Heights and Kearneys Spring?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,038 from Centenary Heights and $1,584 from Kearneys Spring to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Centenary Heights and $192 from Kearneys Spring.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Centenary Heights and Kearneys Spring?
At 3% annual cost growth, Centenary Heights costs a cumulative $75,318 and Kearneys Spring costs $82,723 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $7,405 in favour of Centenary Heights. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Centenary Heights and Kearneys Spring 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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.