Crowley Vale vs Lawes: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Crowley Vale and Lawes are both Lockyer Valley Regional Council suburbs, sitting 10 km and 5.8 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Lawes runs $939 a year cheaper than Crowley Vale, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $10,764.
Over 10 years, Lawes costs about $10,800 less to run than Crowley Vale — the same as paying $10,800 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Lawes
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Crowley Vale | Lawes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,395 | $1,395 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,957 | $1,818 | +$1,139 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,100 | $2,300 | -$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,400 | $1,500 | -$100 |
| Total (driving) | $8,352 | $7,413 | +$939 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,587 | $5,787 | -$200 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Crowley Vale | Lawes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $1,976 | $1,976 | - |
| Unit | $1,591 | $1,591 | - |
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 — Crowley Vale vs Lawes (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Lawes costs $939 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $10,764 in favour of Lawes.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $1,139 per year. Crowley Vale is 10 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the gap is $200 per year, $5,587 from Crowley Vale versus $5,787 from Lawes.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Crowley Vale cumulative | Lawes cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,352 | $7,413 | $939 |
| Year 3 | $25,815 | $22,913 | $2,902 |
| Year 5 | $44,342 | $39,357 | $4,985 |
| Year 10 | $95,746 | $84,982 | $10,764 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Crowley Vale or Lawes cheaper to live in?
Lawes is cheaper to run by car at $7,413 per year versus $8,352 for Crowley Vale, a difference of $939 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Crowley Vale and Lawes?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,395 in Crowley Vale (Lockyer Valley Regional Council) and $1,395 in Lawes (Lockyer Valley Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Crowley Vale 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 Crowley Vale and Lawes?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,957 from Crowley Vale and $1,818 from Lawes to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Crowley Vale and $192 from Lawes.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Crowley Vale and Lawes?
At 3% annual cost growth, Crowley Vale costs a cumulative $95,746 and Lawes costs $84,982 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $10,764 in favour of Lawes. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Crowley Vale 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.
Related comparisons
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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.