Crowley Vale 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
Crowley Vale and Lawes are both Lockyer Valley Regional Council suburbs, sitting 10 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 $978 a year cheaper than Crowley Vale, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $11,212.
Over 10 years, Lawes costs about $11,200 less to run than Crowley Vale — the same as paying $11,200 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 →Crowley Vale
Lawes
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Crowley Vale | Lawes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,395 | $1,395 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,058 | $1,880 | +$1,178 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,100 | $2,300 | -$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,400 | $1,500 | -$100 |
| Total (driving) | $8,453 | $7,475 | +$978 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,587 | $5,787 | -$200 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Crowley Vale | 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 — Crowley Vale vs Lawes (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Lawes costs $978 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $11,212 in favour of Lawes.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $1,178 per year. Crowley Vale is 10 km from Gatton CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $200 per year, $5,587 from Crowley Vale versus $5,787 from Lawes.
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 $1,178 a year, $1,880 against $3,058.
- Building insurance favours Crowley Vale by $200 a year, $2,100 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 | Crowley Vale cumulative | Lawes cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,453 | $7,475 | $978 |
| Year 3 | $26,127 | $23,104 | $3,023 |
| Year 5 | $44,878 | $39,686 | $5,192 |
| Year 10 | $96,904 | $85,692 | $11,212 |
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 $7,475 per year versus $8,453 for Crowley Vale, a difference of $978 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/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 $3,058 from Crowley Vale and $1,880 from Lawes to Gatton CBD (ATO 91c/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 $96,904 and Lawes costs $85,692 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $11,212 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.
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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.