Centenary Heights vs Kearneys Spring, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/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 Toowoomba CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Centenary Heights runs $665 a year cheaper than Kearneys Spring, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $7,623.
Over 10 years, Centenary Heights costs about $7,600 less to run than Kearneys Spring. That's about $15 a week.
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Kearneys Spring
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Centenary Heights | Kearneys Spring | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,444 | $1,444 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,188 | $2,188 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,073 | $1,638 | -$565 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,550 | $1,650 | -$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,200 | $2,000 | +$200 |
| Total (driving) | $6,255 | $6,920 | -$665 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,374 | $5,474 | -$100 |
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 | Centenary Heights | Kearneys Spring | 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, Centenary Heights vs Kearneys Spring (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Centenary Heights costs $665 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $7,623 in favour of Centenary Heights.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $565 per year. Kearneys Spring is 5 km from Toowoomba CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $5,374 and $5,474 a year, so the $665 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
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 Centenary Heights by $565 a year, $1,073 against $1,638.
- Building insurance favours Centenary Heights by $100 a year, $1,550 against $1,650.
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 Kearneys Spring against low in Centenary Heights, which feeds the insurance estimate. The catchment state school scores 6.2 in Centenary Heights against 4.6 in Kearneys Spring, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Centenary Heights cumulative | Kearneys Spring cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $6,255 | $6,920 | $665 |
| Year 3 | $19,334 | $21,389 | $2,055 |
| Year 5 | $33,209 | $36,739 | $3,530 |
| Year 10 | $71,707 | $79,330 | $7,623 |
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 $6,255 per year versus $6,920 for Kearneys Spring, a difference of $665 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/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 $1,073 from Centenary Heights and $1,638 from Kearneys Spring to Toowoomba CBD (ATO 91c/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 $71,707 and Kearneys Spring costs $79,330 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $7,623 in favour of Centenary Heights. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Centenary Heights and Kearneys Spring suits you better?
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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 insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.