Forest Hill vs Lawes: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Forest Hill and Lawes are both Lockyer Valley Regional Council suburbs, sitting 9.2 km and 5.8 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Lawes runs $1,533 a year cheaper than Forest Hill, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $17,574.
Over 10 years, Lawes costs about $17,600 less to run than Forest Hill — the same as paying $17,600 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Lawes
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Forest Hill | Lawes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,395 | $1,395 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,751 | $1,818 | +$933 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,900 | $2,300 | +$600 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $8,946 | $7,413 | +$1,533 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,387 | $5,787 | +$600 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Forest Hill | Lawes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $1,976 | $1,976 | - |
| Unit | $1,591 | $1,591 | - |
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 — Forest Hill vs Lawes (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Lawes costs $1,533 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $17,574 in favour of Lawes.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $933 per year. Forest Hill is 9.2 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the gap is $600 per year, $6,387 from Forest Hill versus $5,787 from Lawes.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Forest Hill cumulative | Lawes cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,946 | $7,413 | $1,533 |
| Year 3 | $27,651 | $22,913 | $4,738 |
| Year 5 | $47,496 | $39,357 | $8,139 |
| Year 10 | $102,556 | $84,982 | $17,574 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Forest Hill or Lawes cheaper to live in?
Lawes is cheaper to run by car at $7,413 per year versus $8,946 for Forest Hill, a difference of $1,533 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Forest Hill and Lawes?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,395 in Forest Hill (Lockyer Valley Regional Council) and $1,395 in Lawes (Lockyer Valley Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Forest Hill and $1,900 in Lawes. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Forest Hill and Lawes?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,751 from Forest Hill and $1,818 from Lawes to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Forest Hill and $192 from Lawes.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Forest Hill and Lawes?
At 3% annual cost growth, Forest Hill costs a cumulative $102,556 and Lawes costs $84,982 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $17,574 in favour of Lawes. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Forest Hill and Lawes 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: 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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.