College View vs Lawes, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/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 Gatton CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $173 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 $2,000, about $4 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Lawes
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | College View | Lawes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,395 | $1,395 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,403 | $1,880 | +$523 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,403 | $1,880 | +$523 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,550 | $1,900 | -$350 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,600 | $1,500 | +$100 |
| Total (driving) | $7,248 | $7,075 | +$173 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,248 | $7,075 | +$173 |
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 | College View | Lawes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,135 | $2,135 | - |
| Unit | $1,776 | $1,776 | - |
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, College View vs Lawes (2026-27)
What the numbers show
College View and Lawes differ by $173 a year by car, but $350 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 $523, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $523 per year. College View is 7.6 km from Gatton CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,248 and $7,075 a year, so the $173 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,395 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,900 a year.
- Driving commute favours Lawes by $523 a year, $1,880 against $2,403.
- Building insurance favours College View by $350 a year, $1,550 against $1,900.
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 | College View cumulative | Lawes cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,248 | $7,075 | $173 |
| Year 3 | $22,403 | $21,868 | $535 |
| Year 5 | $38,481 | $37,562 | $919 |
| Year 10 | $83,090 | $81,107 | $1,983 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is College View or Lawes cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. College View runs $7,248 a year by car and Lawes $7,075, but most of the $173 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $523. 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 $2,403 from College View and $1,880 from Lawes to Gatton CBD (ATO 91c/km). No daily public transport commute is assumed from either suburb, so both are costed by car.
What is the 10-year cost difference between College View and Lawes?
At 3% annual cost growth, College View costs a cumulative $83,090 and Lawes costs $81,107 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,983 in favour of Lawes. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of College View and Lawes suits you better?
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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 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.