Council rates Cost of living calculator Electricity calculator About Blog Suburbs

Council rates: 2026-27 · Water & commute: 2025-26 · Sources: council websites, QUU, ATO, ABS

East Toowoomba vs Rangeville: true annual running costs compared (2026)

Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks

East Toowoomba and Rangeville are both Toowoomba Regional Council suburbs, sitting 1.8 km and 4.5 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.

The verdict
East Toowoomba is the cheaper suburb to live in

East Toowoomba runs $1,140 a year cheaper than Rangeville, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $13,068.

$1,140difference per year
$13,068over 10 years
the commutebiggest cost driver

Over 10 years, East Toowoomba costs about $13,100 less to run than Rangeville — the same as paying $13,100 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.

Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →

East Toowoomba

4350 · Toowoomba Regional Council · 1.8 km from CBD
$6,227
Total annual cost (driving)
Public transport total$5,824
School score7.7/10
Flood & fire riskIn report

Rangeville

4350 · Toowoomba Regional Council · 4.5 km from CBD
$7,367
Total annual cost (driving)
Public transport total$6,124
School score7.0/10
Flood & fire riskIn report

Annual cost breakdown

CategoryEast ToowoombaRangevilleDifference
Council rates$1,444$1,444-
Water & sewerage$2,188$2,188-
Commute (driving)$595$1,435-$840
Commute (public transport)$192$192-
Home insurance$2,000$2,300-$300
Body corporate (unit)$2,200$2,200-
Total (driving)$6,227$7,367-$1,140
Total (public transport)$5,824$6,124-$300

Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).

Estimated electricity cost typical 2-person household
DwellingEast ToowoombaRangevilleDifference
House$2,115$2,115-
Unit$1,696$1,696-

Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2025 rates (QLD 30c/kWh, NSW 33c/kWh incl. supply charge; unit ≈ 75% of a house). Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.

Cost breakdown chart

Annual cost breakdown — East Toowoomba vs Rangeville (2026-27)

What the numbers show

East Toowoomba costs $1,140 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $13,068 in favour of East Toowoomba.

The biggest single gap is commute costs at $840 per year. Rangeville is 4.5 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.

On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $5,824 from East Toowoomba versus $6,124 from Rangeville.

10-year cumulative cost projection

YearEast Toowoomba cumulativeRangeville cumulativeDifference
Year 1$6,227$7,367$1,140
Year 3$19,247$22,771$3,524
Year 5$33,060$39,112$6,052
Year 10$71,386$84,454$13,068

Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.

Frequently asked questions

  1. Is East Toowoomba or Rangeville cheaper to live in?

    East Toowoomba is cheaper to run by car at $6,227 per year versus $7,367 for Rangeville, a difference of $1,140 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.

  2. What are council rates in East Toowoomba and Rangeville?

    Annual council rates for a house are $1,444 in East Toowoomba (Toowoomba Regional Council) and $1,444 in Rangeville (Toowoomba Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,188 in East Toowoomba and $2,188 in Rangeville. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.

  3. How does the commute cost compare between East Toowoomba and Rangeville?

    Annual driving commute costs are $595 from East Toowoomba and $1,435 from Rangeville to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from East Toowoomba and $192 from Rangeville.

  4. What is the 10-year cost difference between East Toowoomba and Rangeville?

    At 3% annual cost growth, East Toowoomba costs a cumulative $71,386 and Rangeville costs $84,454 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $13,068 in favour of East Toowoomba. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.

Which of East Toowoomba and Rangeville 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.

Free · no spam · built from official council, ATO & ACARA data

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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.