Cotswold Hills vs Wilsonton, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Cotswold Hills and Wilsonton are both Toowoomba Regional Council suburbs, sitting 6.9 km and 3.8 km from Toowoomba CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Wilsonton runs $739 a year cheaper than Cotswold Hills, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $8,472.
Over 10 years, Wilsonton costs about $8,500 less to run than Cotswold Hills. That's about $16 a week.
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Wilsonton
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Cotswold Hills | Wilsonton | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,444 | $1,444 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,188 | $2,188 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,204 | $1,265 | +$939 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,550 | $1,750 | -$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,000 | $2,000 | - |
| Total (driving) | $7,386 | $6,647 | +$739 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,374 | $5,574 | -$200 |
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 | Cotswold Hills | Wilsonton | 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, Cotswold Hills vs Wilsonton (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Wilsonton costs $739 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $8,472 in favour of Wilsonton.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $939 per year. Cotswold Hills is 6.9 km from Toowoomba CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $200 per year, $5,374 from Cotswold Hills versus $5,574 from Wilsonton.
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 favours Wilsonton by $939 a year, $1,265 against $2,204.
- Building insurance favours Cotswold Hills by $200 a year, $1,550 against $1,750.
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.
The catchment state school scores 4.3 in Cotswold Hills against 3.3 in Wilsonton, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Cotswold Hills cumulative | Wilsonton cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,386 | $6,647 | $739 |
| Year 3 | $22,829 | $20,545 | $2,284 |
| Year 5 | $39,213 | $35,290 | $3,923 |
| Year 10 | $84,672 | $76,200 | $8,472 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cotswold Hills or Wilsonton cheaper to live in?
Wilsonton is cheaper to run by car at $6,647 per year versus $7,386 for Cotswold Hills, a difference of $739 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Cotswold Hills and Wilsonton?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,444 in Cotswold Hills (Toowoomba Regional Council) and $1,444 in Wilsonton (Toowoomba Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,188 in Cotswold Hills and $2,188 in Wilsonton. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Cotswold Hills and Wilsonton?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,204 from Cotswold Hills and $1,265 from Wilsonton to Toowoomba CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Cotswold Hills and $192 from Wilsonton.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Cotswold Hills and Wilsonton?
At 3% annual cost growth, Cotswold Hills costs a cumulative $84,672 and Wilsonton costs $76,200 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $8,472 in favour of Wilsonton. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Cotswold Hills and Wilsonton 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.