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.
Lawes runs $423 a year cheaper than College View, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,850.
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) | $2,403 | $1,880 | +$523 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,200 | $2,300 | -$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,600 | $1,500 | +$100 |
| Total (driving) | $7,898 | $7,475 | +$423 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,687 | $5,787 | -$100 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; 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
Lawes costs $423 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,850 in favour of Lawes.
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, $5,687 and $5,787 a year, so the $423 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 $100 a year, $2,200 against $2,300.
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 | $7,898 | $7,475 | $423 |
| Year 3 | $24,412 | $23,104 | $1,308 |
| Year 5 | $41,932 | $39,686 | $2,246 |
| Year 10 | $90,542 | $85,692 | $4,850 |
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 $7,475 per year versus $7,898 for College View, a difference of $423 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/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 $2,403 from College View and $1,880 from Lawes to Gatton CBD (ATO 91c/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 $90,542 and Lawes costs $85,692 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,850 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 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.