College View vs Lake Clarendon: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
College View and Lake Clarendon are both Lockyer Valley Regional Council suburbs, sitting 7.6 km and 8.5 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
College View runs $943 a year cheaper than Lake Clarendon, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $10,811.
Over 10 years, College View costs about $10,800 less to run than Lake Clarendon — the same as paying $10,800 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Lake Clarendon
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | College View | Lake Clarendon | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,395 | $1,395 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,324 | $2,567 | -$243 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,200 | $2,900 | -$700 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,600 | $1,400 | +$200 |
| Total (driving) | $7,819 | $8,762 | -$943 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,687 | $6,387 | -$700 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | College View | Lake Clarendon | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $1,976 | $1,976 | - |
| Unit | $1,591 | $1,591 | - |
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 — College View vs Lake Clarendon (2026-27)
What the numbers show
College View costs $943 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $10,811 in favour of College View.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $700 per year.
On public transport the gap is $700 per year, $5,687 from College View versus $6,387 from Lake Clarendon.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | College View cumulative | Lake Clarendon cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,819 | $8,762 | $943 |
| Year 3 | $24,168 | $27,082 | $2,914 |
| Year 5 | $41,512 | $46,519 | $5,007 |
| Year 10 | $89,636 | $100,447 | $10,811 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is College View or Lake Clarendon cheaper to live in?
College View is cheaper to run by car at $7,819 per year versus $8,762 for Lake Clarendon, a difference of $943 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in College View and Lake Clarendon?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,395 in College View (Lockyer Valley Regional Council) and $1,395 in Lake Clarendon (Lockyer Valley Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in College View and $1,900 in Lake Clarendon. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between College View and Lake Clarendon?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,324 from College View and $2,567 from Lake Clarendon to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from College View and $192 from Lake Clarendon.
What is the 10-year cost difference between College View and Lake Clarendon?
At 3% annual cost growth, College View costs a cumulative $89,636 and Lake Clarendon costs $100,447 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $10,811 in favour of College View. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of College View and Lake Clarendon 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.
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Sources: Lockyer Valley Regional Council and Lockyer Valley 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.