College View vs Lawes: 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 Lawes are both Lockyer Valley Regional Council suburbs, sitting 7.6 km and 5.8 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Lawes runs $406 a year cheaper than College View, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,654.
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 →College View
Lawes
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | College View | Lawes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,395 | $1,395 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,324 | $1,818 | +$506 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,200 | $2,300 | -$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,600 | $1,500 | +$100 |
| Total (driving) | $7,819 | $7,413 | +$406 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,687 | $5,787 | -$100 |
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 | Lawes | 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 Lawes (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Lawes costs $406 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,654 in favour of Lawes.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $506 per year. College View is 7.6 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, $5,687 and $5,787 a year, so the $406 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | College View cumulative | Lawes cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,819 | $7,413 | $406 |
| Year 3 | $24,168 | $22,913 | $1,255 |
| Year 5 | $41,512 | $39,357 | $2,155 |
| Year 10 | $89,636 | $84,982 | $4,654 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is College View or Lawes cheaper to live in?
Lawes is cheaper to run by car at $7,413 per year versus $7,819 for College View, a difference of $406 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 Lawes?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,395 in College View (Lockyer Valley Regional Council) and $1,395 in Lawes (Lockyer Valley Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in College View and $1,900 in Lawes. 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 Lawes?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,324 from College View and $1,818 from Lawes to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from College View and $192 from Lawes.
What is the 10-year cost difference between College View and Lawes?
At 3% annual cost growth, College View costs a cumulative $89,636 and Lawes costs $84,982 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,654 in favour of Lawes. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of College View and Lawes 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.