Centenary Heights vs Rangeville: 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 Rangeville are both Toowoomba Regional Council suburbs, sitting 3.2 km and 4.5 km from Toowoomba CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Centenary Heights runs $811 a year cheaper than Rangeville, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $9,297.
Over 10 years, Centenary Heights costs about $9,300 less to run than Rangeville — the same as paying $9,300 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Rangeville
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Centenary Heights | Rangeville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,444 | $1,444 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,188 | $2,188 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $1,073 | $1,484 | -$411 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,900 | $2,300 | -$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,200 | $2,200 | - |
| Total (driving) | $6,605 | $7,416 | -$811 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,724 | $6,124 | -$400 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Centenary Heights | Rangeville | 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 Rangeville (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Centenary Heights costs $811 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $9,297 in favour of Centenary Heights.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $411 per year. Rangeville is 4.5 km from Toowoomba CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $5,724 from Centenary Heights versus $6,124 from Rangeville.
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 $411 a year, $1,073 against $1,484.
- Building insurance favours Centenary Heights by $400 a year, $1,900 against $2,300.
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 Rangeville against low in Centenary Heights, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Centenary Heights cumulative | Rangeville cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $6,605 | $7,416 | $811 |
| Year 3 | $20,415 | $22,922 | $2,507 |
| Year 5 | $35,067 | $39,373 | $4,306 |
| Year 10 | $75,719 | $85,016 | $9,297 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Centenary Heights or Rangeville cheaper to live in?
Centenary Heights is cheaper to run by car at $6,605 per year versus $7,416 for Rangeville, a difference of $811 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 Rangeville?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,444 in Centenary Heights (Toowoomba Regional Council) and $1,444 in Rangeville (Toowoomba Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,188 in Centenary Heights and $2,188 in Rangeville. 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 Rangeville?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,073 from Centenary Heights and $1,484 from Rangeville to Toowoomba CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Centenary Heights and $192 from Rangeville.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Centenary Heights and Rangeville?
At 3% annual cost growth, Centenary Heights costs a cumulative $75,719 and Rangeville costs $85,016 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $9,297 in favour of Centenary Heights. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Centenary Heights and Rangeville 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 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.