Devon Park vs Sabine, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Devon Park and Sabine are both Toowoomba Regional Council suburbs, sitting 34 km and 32.8 km from Toowoomba CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $269 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 the gap between these two is about $3,100, about $6 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict → Personalise this comparison with your own commute, home type and loan →Devon Park
Sabine
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Devon Park | Sabine | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,444 | $1,444 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,188 | $2,188 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,831 | $6,762 | +$69 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,350 | $2,150 | +$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,500 | $1,700 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $12,813 | $12,544 | +$269 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,174 | $5,974 | +$200 |
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 | Devon Park | Sabine | 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, Devon Park vs Sabine (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Devon Park and Sabine differ by $269 a year by car, but $200 of that is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On the sourced costs, council rates, water and the commute, the gap is $69, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $200 per year.
On public transport the gap is $200 per year, $6,174 from Devon Park versus $5,974 from Sabine.
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 Sabine by $69 a year, $6,762 against $6,831.
- Building insurance favours Sabine by $200 a year, $2,150 against $2,350.
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 | Devon Park cumulative | Sabine cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,813 | $12,544 | $269 |
| Year 3 | $39,604 | $38,772 | $832 |
| Year 5 | $68,026 | $66,598 | $1,428 |
| Year 10 | $146,887 | $143,803 | $3,084 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Devon Park or Sabine cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Devon Park runs $12,813 a year by car and Sabine $12,544, but most of the $269 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $69. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Devon Park and Sabine?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,444 in Devon Park (Toowoomba Regional Council) and $1,444 in Sabine (Toowoomba Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,188 in Devon Park and $2,188 in Sabine. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Devon Park and Sabine?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,831 from Devon Park and $6,762 from Sabine to Toowoomba CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Devon Park and $192 from Sabine.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Devon Park and Sabine?
At 3% annual cost growth, Devon Park costs a cumulative $146,887 and Sabine costs $143,803 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,084 in favour of Sabine. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Devon Park and Sabine suits you better?
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: 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.