Deuchar vs Hendon: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Deuchar and Hendon are both Southern Downs Regional Council suburbs, sitting 59.8 km and 57.2 km from Toowoomba CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Deuchar runs $321 a year cheaper than Hendon, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,680.
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 →Deuchar
Hendon
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Deuchar | Hendon | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,416 | $1,416 | - |
| Water & sewerage stand-in | $2,188 | $2,188 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,276 | $5,697 | -$421 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,200 | $2,100 | +$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,400 | $1,800 | -$400 |
| Total (driving) | $11,080 | $11,401 | -$321 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,996 | $5,896 | +$100 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Deuchar's water charge is Toowoomba Regional Council Water & Sewerage's, standing in until its own council's schedule is loaded. Hendon's water charge is Toowoomba Regional Council Water & Sewerage's, standing in until its own council's schedule is loaded. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Deuchar | Hendon | 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 — Deuchar vs Hendon (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Deuchar costs $321 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,680 in favour of Deuchar.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $421 per year. Deuchar is 59.8 km from Toowoomba CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $5,996 and $5,896 a year, so the $321 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,416 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $2,188 a year.
- Driving commute favours Deuchar by $421 a year, $5,276 against $5,697.
- Building insurance favours Hendon by $100 a year, $2,100 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 | Deuchar cumulative | Hendon cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,080 | $11,401 | $321 |
| Year 3 | $34,247 | $35,239 | $992 |
| Year 5 | $58,825 | $60,529 | $1,704 |
| Year 10 | $127,020 | $130,700 | $3,680 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Deuchar or Hendon cheaper to live in?
Deuchar is cheaper to run by car at $11,080 per year versus $11,401 for Hendon, a difference of $321 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Deuchar and Hendon?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,416 in Deuchar (Southern Downs Regional Council) and $1,416 in Hendon (Southern Downs Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,188 in Deuchar and $2,188 in Hendon. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Deuchar and Hendon?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,276 from Deuchar and $5,697 from Hendon to Toowoomba CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Deuchar and $192 from Hendon.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Deuchar and Hendon?
At 3% annual cost growth, Deuchar costs a cumulative $127,020 and Hendon costs $130,700 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,680 in favour of Deuchar. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Deuchar and Hendon 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: Southern Downs Regional Council and Southern Downs 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.