Hatton Vale vs Kensington Grove, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Hatton Vale and Kensington Grove are both Lockyer Valley Regional Council suburbs, sitting 20.3 km and 19.5 km from Gatton CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $141 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, Kensington Grove costs about $1,600 less to run than Hatton Vale. That's about $3 a week.
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Kensington Grove
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Hatton Vale | Kensington Grove | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,395 | $1,395 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $5,294 | $5,153 | +$141 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $5,294 | $5,153 | +$141 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,400 | $1,500 | -$100 |
| Total (driving) | $10,689 | $10,548 | +$141 |
| Total (public transport) | $10,689 | $10,548 | +$141 |
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 | Hatton Vale | Kensington Grove | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,135 | $2,135 | - |
| Unit | $1,776 | $1,776 | - |
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, Hatton Vale vs Kensington Grove (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Hatton Vale and Kensington Grove cost within $141 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,616, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $141 per year. Hatton Vale is 20.3 km from Gatton CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $10,689 and $10,548 a year, so the $141 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
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 Kensington Grove by $141 a year, $5,153 against $5,294.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,100 a year.
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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Hatton Vale cumulative | Kensington Grove cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,689 | $10,548 | $141 |
| Year 3 | $33,039 | $32,603 | $436 |
| Year 5 | $56,749 | $56,001 | $748 |
| Year 10 | $122,537 | $120,921 | $1,616 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hatton Vale or Kensington Grove cheaper to live in?
Kensington Grove is cheaper to run by car at $10,548 per year versus $10,689 for Hatton Vale, a difference of $141 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Hatton Vale and Kensington Grove?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,395 in Hatton Vale (Lockyer Valley Regional Council) and $1,395 in Kensington Grove (Lockyer Valley Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Hatton Vale and $1,900 in Kensington Grove. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Hatton Vale and Kensington Grove?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,294 from Hatton Vale and $5,153 from Kensington Grove to Gatton CBD (ATO 91c/km). No daily public transport commute is assumed from either suburb, so both are costed by car.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Hatton Vale and Kensington Grove?
At 3% annual cost growth, Hatton Vale costs a cumulative $122,537 and Kensington Grove costs $120,921 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,616 in favour of Kensington Grove. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Hatton Vale and Kensington Grove suits you better?
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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 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.