Charlton vs Wellcamp, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Charlton and Wellcamp are both Toowoomba Regional Council suburbs, sitting 10.9 km and 12.7 km from Toowoomba CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Charlton runs $494 a year cheaper than Wellcamp, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,663.
Over 10 years, Charlton costs about $5,700 less to run than Wellcamp. That's about $11 a week.
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Wellcamp
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Charlton | Wellcamp | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,444 | $1,444 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,188 | $2,188 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $3,289 | $3,733 | -$444 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,500 | $1,550 | -$50 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,800 | $2,000 | +$800 |
| Total (driving) | $8,421 | $8,915 | -$494 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,324 | $5,374 | -$50 |
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 | Charlton | Wellcamp | 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, Charlton vs Wellcamp (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Charlton costs $494 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,663 in favour of Charlton.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $444 per year. Wellcamp is 12.7 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, $5,324 and $5,374 a year, so the $494 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 Charlton by $444 a year, $3,289 against $3,733.
- Building insurance favours Charlton by $50 a year, $1,500 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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Charlton cumulative | Wellcamp cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,421 | $8,915 | $494 |
| Year 3 | $26,028 | $27,555 | $1,527 |
| Year 5 | $44,708 | $47,331 | $2,623 |
| Year 10 | $96,537 | $102,200 | $5,663 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Charlton or Wellcamp cheaper to live in?
Charlton is cheaper to run by car at $8,421 per year versus $8,915 for Wellcamp, a difference of $494 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Charlton and Wellcamp?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,444 in Charlton (Toowoomba Regional Council) and $1,444 in Wellcamp (Toowoomba Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,188 in Charlton and $2,188 in Wellcamp. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Charlton and Wellcamp?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,289 from Charlton and $3,733 from Wellcamp to Toowoomba CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Charlton and $192 from Wellcamp.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Charlton and Wellcamp?
At 3% annual cost growth, Charlton costs a cumulative $96,537 and Wellcamp costs $102,200 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,663 in favour of Charlton. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Charlton and Wellcamp 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.