Charlton vs Cotswold Hills: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Charlton and Cotswold Hills are both Toowoomba Regional Council suburbs, sitting 10.9 km and 6.9 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Cotswold Hills runs $950 a year cheaper than Charlton, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $10,890.
Over 10 years, Cotswold Hills costs about $10,900 less to run than Charlton — the same as paying $10,900 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Cotswold Hills
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Charlton | Cotswold Hills | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,444 | $1,444 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,188 | $2,188 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,181 | $2,131 | +$1,050 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,800 | $1,900 | -$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,800 | $2,000 | +$800 |
| Total (driving) | $8,613 | $7,663 | +$950 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,624 | $5,724 | -$100 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Charlton | Cotswold Hills | 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 — Charlton vs Cotswold Hills (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Cotswold Hills costs $950 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $10,890 in favour of Cotswold Hills.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $1,050 per year. Charlton is 10.9 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, $5,624 and $5,724 a year, so the $950 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Charlton cumulative | Cotswold Hills cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,613 | $7,663 | $950 |
| Year 3 | $26,622 | $23,686 | $2,936 |
| Year 5 | $45,728 | $40,684 | $5,044 |
| Year 10 | $98,738 | $87,848 | $10,890 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Charlton or Cotswold Hills cheaper to live in?
Cotswold Hills is cheaper to run by car at $7,663 per year versus $8,613 for Charlton, a difference of $950 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Charlton and Cotswold Hills?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,444 in Charlton (Toowoomba Regional Council) and $1,444 in Cotswold Hills (Toowoomba Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,188 in Charlton and $2,188 in Cotswold Hills. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Charlton and Cotswold Hills?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,181 from Charlton and $2,131 from Cotswold Hills to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Charlton and $192 from Cotswold Hills.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Charlton and Cotswold Hills?
At 3% annual cost growth, Charlton costs a cumulative $98,738 and Cotswold Hills costs $87,848 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $10,890 in favour of Cotswold Hills. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Charlton and Cotswold Hills is best to actually live in?
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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.