Clifton vs Kings Creek, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Clifton and Kings Creek are both Toowoomba Regional Council suburbs, sitting 42.1 km and 37.9 km from Toowoomba CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $100 a year of each other to run, so running cost is a minor factor here. The decision comes down to schools, risk and lifestyle, all in the free report.
Over 10 years the gap between these two is about $1,100, about $2 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Kings Creek
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Clifton | Kings Creek | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,444 | $1,444 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,188 | $2,188 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,970 | $6,970 | - |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,150 | $2,050 | +$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,500 | $1,600 | -$100 |
| Total (driving) | $12,752 | $12,652 | +$100 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,974 | $5,874 | +$100 |
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 | Clifton | Kings Creek | 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, Clifton vs Kings Creek (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Clifton and Kings Creek differ by $100 a year by car, but $100 of that is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On the sourced costs, council rates, water and the commute, the gap is $0, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $100 per year.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $5,974 and $5,874 a year, so the $100 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 is identical at $6,970 a year.
- Building insurance favours Kings Creek by $100 a year, $2,050 against $2,150.
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 the insurance band.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Clifton cumulative | Kings Creek cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,752 | $12,652 | $100 |
| Year 3 | $39,415 | $39,106 | $309 |
| Year 5 | $67,702 | $67,171 | $531 |
| Year 10 | $146,187 | $145,041 | $1,146 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Clifton or Kings Creek cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Clifton runs $12,752 a year by car and Kings Creek $12,652, but most of the $100 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $0. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Clifton and Kings Creek?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,444 in Clifton (Toowoomba Regional Council) and $1,444 in Kings Creek (Toowoomba Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,188 in Clifton and $2,188 in Kings Creek. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Clifton and Kings Creek?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,970 from Clifton and $6,970 from Kings Creek to Toowoomba CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Clifton and $192 from Kings Creek.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Clifton and Kings Creek?
At 3% annual cost growth, Clifton costs a cumulative $146,187 and Kings Creek costs $145,041 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,146 in favour of Kings Creek. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Clifton and Kings Creek 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.