Centenary Heights vs South Toowoomba, 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 South Toowoomba are both Toowoomba Regional Council suburbs, sitting 3.2 km and 1.8 km from Toowoomba CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
South Toowoomba runs $608 a year cheaper than Centenary Heights, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,970.
Over 10 years, South Toowoomba costs about $7,000 less to run than Centenary Heights. That's about $13 a week.
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South Toowoomba
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Centenary Heights | South Toowoomba | 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 | $615 | +$458 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,550 | $1,400 | +$150 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,200 | $2,000 | +$200 |
| Total (driving) | $6,255 | $5,647 | +$608 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,374 | $5,224 | +$150 |
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 | South Toowoomba | 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 South Toowoomba (2026-27)
What the numbers show
South Toowoomba costs $608 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $6,970 in favour of South Toowoomba.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $458 per year. Centenary Heights is 3.2 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 $5,224 a year, so the $608 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 South Toowoomba by $458 a year, $615 against $1,073.
- Building insurance favours South Toowoomba by $150 a year, $1,400 against $1,550.
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.
The catchment state school scores 6.2 in Centenary Heights against 2.5 in South Toowoomba, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Centenary Heights cumulative | South Toowoomba cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $6,255 | $5,647 | $608 |
| Year 3 | $19,334 | $17,454 | $1,880 |
| Year 5 | $33,209 | $29,981 | $3,228 |
| Year 10 | $71,707 | $64,737 | $6,970 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Centenary Heights or South Toowoomba cheaper to live in?
South Toowoomba is cheaper to run by car at $5,647 per year versus $6,255 for Centenary Heights, a difference of $608 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 South Toowoomba?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,444 in Centenary Heights (Toowoomba Regional Council) and $1,444 in South Toowoomba (Toowoomba Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,188 in Centenary Heights and $2,188 in South Toowoomba. 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 South Toowoomba?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,073 from Centenary Heights and $615 from South Toowoomba to Toowoomba CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Centenary Heights and $192 from South Toowoomba.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Centenary Heights and South Toowoomba?
At 3% annual cost growth, Centenary Heights costs a cumulative $71,707 and South Toowoomba costs $64,737 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,970 in favour of South Toowoomba. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Centenary Heights and South Toowoomba 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.