Darlington vs Hillview, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Darlington and Hillview are both Scenic Rim Regional Council suburbs, sitting 28 km and 26.8 km from Beaudesert CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $83 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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Hillview
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Darlington | Hillview | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,376 | $1,376 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,360 | $6,227 | +$133 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,360 | $6,227 | +$133 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,150 | $2,200 | -$50 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,800 | $1,400 | +$400 |
| Total (driving) | $11,786 | $11,703 | +$83 |
| Total (public transport) | $11,786 | $11,703 | +$83 |
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 | Darlington | Hillview | 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, Darlington vs Hillview (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Darlington and Hillview cost within $83 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $951, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $133 per year. Darlington is 28 km from Beaudesert CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $11,786 and $11,703 a year, so the $83 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,376 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,900 a year.
- Driving commute favours Hillview by $133 a year, $6,227 against $6,360.
- Building insurance favours Darlington by $50 a year, $2,150 against $2,200.
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 | Darlington cumulative | Hillview cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,786 | $11,703 | $83 |
| Year 3 | $36,429 | $36,173 | $256 |
| Year 5 | $62,573 | $62,133 | $440 |
| Year 10 | $135,113 | $134,162 | $951 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Darlington or Hillview cheaper to live in?
Hillview is cheaper to run by car at $11,703 per year versus $11,786 for Darlington, a difference of $83 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Darlington and Hillview?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,376 in Darlington (Scenic Rim Regional Council) and $1,376 in Hillview (Scenic Rim Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Darlington and $1,900 in Hillview. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Darlington and Hillview?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,360 from Darlington and $6,227 from Hillview to Beaudesert CBD (ATO 91c/km). No daily public transport commute is assumed from either suburb, so both are costed by car.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Darlington and Hillview?
At 3% annual cost growth, Darlington costs a cumulative $135,113 and Hillview costs $134,162 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $951 in favour of Hillview. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Darlington and Hillview suits you better?
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Sources: Scenic Rim Regional Council and Scenic Rim 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.