Cranley vs Wilsonton Heights, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Cranley and Wilsonton Heights are both Toowoomba Regional Council suburbs, sitting 5.7 km and 3.8 km from Toowoomba CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $235 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 $2,700, about $5 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Wilsonton Heights
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Cranley | Wilsonton Heights | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,444 | $1,444 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,188 | $2,188 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,850 | $1,265 | +$585 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,400 | $1,750 | -$350 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,000 | $2,000 | - |
| Total (driving) | $6,882 | $6,647 | +$235 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,224 | $5,574 | -$350 |
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 | Cranley | Wilsonton Heights | 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, Cranley vs Wilsonton Heights (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Cranley and Wilsonton Heights differ by $235 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 $585, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $585 per year. Cranley is 5.7 km from Toowoomba CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $350 per year, $5,224 from Cranley versus $5,574 from Wilsonton Heights.
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 Heights by $585 a year, $1,265 against $1,850.
- Building insurance favours Cranley by $350 a year, $1,400 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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Cranley cumulative | Wilsonton Heights cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $6,882 | $6,647 | $235 |
| Year 3 | $21,272 | $20,545 | $727 |
| Year 5 | $36,537 | $35,290 | $1,247 |
| Year 10 | $78,894 | $76,200 | $2,694 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cranley or Wilsonton Heights cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Cranley runs $6,882 a year by car and Wilsonton Heights $6,647, but most of the $235 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $585. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Cranley and Wilsonton Heights?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,444 in Cranley (Toowoomba Regional Council) and $1,444 in Wilsonton Heights (Toowoomba Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,188 in Cranley and $2,188 in Wilsonton Heights. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Cranley and Wilsonton Heights?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,850 from Cranley and $1,265 from Wilsonton Heights to Toowoomba CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Cranley and $192 from Wilsonton Heights.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Cranley and Wilsonton Heights?
At 3% annual cost growth, Cranley costs a cumulative $78,894 and Wilsonton Heights costs $76,200 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,694 in favour of Wilsonton Heights. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Cranley and Wilsonton Heights 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.