Darling Heights vs Top Camp, 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 Top Camp are both Toowoomba Regional Council suburbs, sitting 5.8 km and 8.4 km from Toowoomba CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Darling Heights runs $997 a year cheaper than Top Camp, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $11,430.
Over 10 years, Darling Heights costs about $11,400 less to run than Top Camp. That's about $22 a week.
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Top Camp
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Darling Heights | Top Camp | 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 | $2,627 | -$747 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,400 | $1,650 | -$250 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,000 | $1,900 | +$100 |
| Total (driving) | $6,912 | $7,909 | -$997 |
| 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 | Top Camp | 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 Top Camp (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Darling Heights costs $997 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $11,430 in favour of Darling Heights.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $747 per year. Top Camp is 8.4 km from Toowoomba CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $250 per year, $5,224 from Darling Heights versus $5,474 from Top Camp.
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 Darling Heights by $747 a year, $1,880 against $2,627.
- 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 Top Camp against low in Darling Heights, which feeds the insurance estimate. The catchment state school scores 7.1 in Top Camp against 4.6 in Darling Heights, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Darling Heights cumulative | Top Camp cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $6,912 | $7,909 | $997 |
| Year 3 | $21,364 | $24,446 | $3,082 |
| Year 5 | $36,697 | $41,990 | $5,293 |
| Year 10 | $79,238 | $90,668 | $11,430 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Darling Heights or Top Camp cheaper to live in?
Darling Heights is cheaper to run by car at $6,912 per year versus $7,909 for Top Camp, a difference of $997 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 Top Camp?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,444 in Darling Heights (Toowoomba Regional Council) and $1,444 in Top Camp (Toowoomba Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,188 in Darling Heights and $2,188 in Top Camp. 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 Top Camp?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,880 from Darling Heights and $2,627 from Top Camp to Toowoomba CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Darling Heights and $192 from Top Camp.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Darling Heights and Top Camp?
At 3% annual cost growth, Darling Heights costs a cumulative $79,238 and Top Camp costs $90,668 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $11,430 in favour of Darling Heights. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Darling Heights and Top Camp 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.