Darling Heights vs Kearneys Spring, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Darling Heights and Kearneys Spring are both Toowoomba Regional Council suburbs, sitting 5.8 km and 5 km from Toowoomba CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $8 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 these two cost about the same to run.
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Kearneys Spring
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Darling Heights | Kearneys Spring | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,444 | $1,444 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,188 | $2,188 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,880 | $1,638 | +$242 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,400 | $1,650 | -$250 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,000 | $2,000 | - |
| Total (driving) | $6,912 | $6,920 | -$8 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,224 | $5,474 | -$250 |
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 | Darling Heights | Kearneys Spring | 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, Darling Heights vs Kearneys Spring (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Darling Heights and Kearneys Spring cost within $8 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $92, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $250 per year.
On public transport the gap is $250 per year, $5,224 from Darling Heights versus $5,474 from Kearneys Spring.
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 Kearneys Spring by $242 a year, $1,638 against $1,880.
- Building insurance favours Darling Heights by $250 a year, $1,400 against $1,650.
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.
Fire risk is rated medium in Kearneys Spring against low in Darling Heights, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Darling Heights cumulative | Kearneys Spring cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $6,912 | $6,920 | $8 |
| Year 3 | $21,364 | $21,389 | $25 |
| Year 5 | $36,697 | $36,739 | $42 |
| Year 10 | $79,238 | $79,330 | $92 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Darling Heights or Kearneys Spring cheaper to live in?
Darling Heights is cheaper to run by car at $6,912 per year versus $6,920 for Kearneys Spring, a difference of $8 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Darling Heights and Kearneys Spring?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,444 in Darling Heights (Toowoomba Regional Council) and $1,444 in Kearneys Spring (Toowoomba Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,188 in Darling Heights and $2,188 in Kearneys Spring. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Darling Heights and Kearneys Spring?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,880 from Darling Heights and $1,638 from Kearneys Spring to Toowoomba CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Darling Heights and $192 from Kearneys Spring.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Darling Heights and Kearneys Spring?
At 3% annual cost growth, Darling Heights costs a cumulative $79,238 and Kearneys Spring costs $79,330 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $92 in favour of Darling Heights. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Darling Heights and Kearneys Spring 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.