Charlton vs Wellcamp: 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 Wellcamp are both Toowoomba Regional Council suburbs, sitting 10.9 km and 12.7 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Charlton runs $529 a year cheaper than Wellcamp, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,065.
Over 10 years these two cost about the same to run. The difference here isn't money — it's location, schools and lifestyle.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Charlton
Wellcamp
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Charlton | Wellcamp | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,444 | $1,444 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,188 | $2,188 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,181 | $3,610 | -$429 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,800 | $1,900 | -$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,800 | $2,000 | +$800 |
| Total (driving) | $8,613 | $9,142 | -$529 |
| 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 | Wellcamp | 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 Wellcamp (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Charlton costs $529 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $6,065 in favour of Charlton.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $429 per year. Wellcamp is 12.7 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 $529 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Charlton cumulative | Wellcamp cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,613 | $9,142 | $529 |
| Year 3 | $26,622 | $28,257 | $1,635 |
| Year 5 | $45,728 | $48,536 | $2,808 |
| Year 10 | $98,738 | $104,803 | $6,065 |
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 $8,613 per year versus $9,142 for Wellcamp, a difference of $529 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/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 $3,181 from Charlton and $3,610 from Wellcamp to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/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 $98,738 and Wellcamp costs $104,803 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,065 in favour of Charlton. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Charlton and Wellcamp 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.
Related comparisons
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.