Derrymore vs Iredale: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Derrymore and Iredale are both Lockyer Valley Regional Council suburbs, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Iredale runs $300 a year cheaper than Derrymore, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,439.
Over 10 years these two cost about the same to run. The difference here isn't money — it's location, schools and lifestyle.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Derrymore
Iredale
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Derrymore | Iredale | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,395 | $1,395 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,478 | $4,678 | +$800 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,900 | $3,400 | -$500 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,000 | $1,600 | +$400 |
| Total (driving) | $11,673 | $11,373 | +$300 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,387 | $6,887 | -$500 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Derrymore | Iredale | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,265 | $2,135 | +$130 |
| Unit | $1,874 | $1,776 | +$98 |
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 — Derrymore vs Iredale (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Iredale costs $300 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,439 in favour of Iredale.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $800 per year. Derrymore is 21.4 km from Gatton CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $500 per year, $6,387 from Derrymore versus $6,887 from Iredale.
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 Iredale by $800 a year, $4,678 against $5,478.
- Building insurance favours Derrymore by $500 a year, $2,900 against $3,400.
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.
The catchment state school scores 6.7 in Derrymore against 4.5 in Iredale, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Derrymore cumulative | Iredale cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,673 | $11,373 | $300 |
| Year 3 | $36,080 | $35,153 | $927 |
| Year 5 | $61,974 | $60,381 | $1,593 |
| Year 10 | $133,818 | $130,379 | $3,439 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Derrymore or Iredale cheaper to live in?
Iredale is cheaper to run by car at $11,373 per year versus $11,673 for Derrymore, a difference of $300 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Derrymore and Iredale?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,395 in Derrymore (Lockyer Valley Regional Council) and $1,395 in Iredale (Lockyer Valley Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Derrymore and $1,900 in Iredale. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Derrymore and Iredale?
Derrymore is $5,478 a year to drive to Gatton CBD (ATO 91c/km). Iredale is $4,678 a year to drive to Toowoomba CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Derrymore and $192 from Iredale.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Derrymore and Iredale?
At 3% annual cost growth, Derrymore costs a cumulative $133,818 and Iredale costs $130,379 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,439 in favour of Iredale. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Derrymore and Iredale 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 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.