Crestwood vs Queanbeyan East: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Crestwood and Queanbeyan East are both Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 245.6 km and 243.8 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Crestwood runs $950 a year cheaper than Queanbeyan East, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $10,891.
Over 10 years, Crestwood costs about $10,900 less to run than Queanbeyan East — the same as paying $10,900 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Crestwood
Queanbeyan East
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Crestwood | Queanbeyan East | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,805 | $1,805 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,150 | $3,100 | -$950 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $22,855 | $23,805 | -$950 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,655 | $8,605 | -$950 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Crestwood | Queanbeyan East | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,554 | $2,554 | - |
| Unit | $2,020 | $2,020 | - |
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 — Crestwood vs Queanbeyan East (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Crestwood costs $950 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $10,891 in favour of Crestwood.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $950 per year. Queanbeyan East carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $950 per year, $7,655 from Crestwood versus $8,605 from Queanbeyan East.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Crestwood cumulative | Queanbeyan East cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $22,855 | $23,805 | $950 |
| Year 3 | $70,643 | $73,579 | $2,936 |
| Year 5 | $121,340 | $126,384 | $5,044 |
| Year 10 | $262,007 | $272,898 | $10,891 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Crestwood or Queanbeyan East cheaper to live in?
Crestwood is cheaper to run by car at $22,855 per year versus $23,805 for Queanbeyan East, a difference of $950 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Crestwood and Queanbeyan East?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,805 in Crestwood (Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional rates (OLG) and $1,805 in Queanbeyan East (Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Crestwood and $1,300 in Queanbeyan East. Both figures are the average residential rate reported to the Office of Local Government, uplifted by each council's IPART rate peg.
How does the commute cost compare between Crestwood and Queanbeyan East?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Crestwood and $17,600 from Queanbeyan East to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Crestwood and $2,400 from Queanbeyan East.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Crestwood and Queanbeyan East?
At 3% annual cost growth, Crestwood costs a cumulative $262,007 and Queanbeyan East costs $272,898 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $10,891 in favour of Crestwood. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Crestwood and Queanbeyan East 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: Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional rates (OLG and Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional rates (OLG 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.