Highfields vs Woolmer, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Highfields and Woolmer are both Toowoomba Regional Council suburbs, sitting 10.6 km and 12.6 km from Toowoomba CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $296 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 $3,400, about $7 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Woolmer
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Highfields | Woolmer | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,444 | $1,444 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,188 | $2,188 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $3,213 | $3,709 | -$496 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,750 | $1,550 | +$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,000 | $2,200 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $8,595 | $8,891 | -$296 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,574 | $5,374 | +$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 | Highfields | Woolmer | 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, Highfields vs Woolmer (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Highfields and Woolmer differ by $296 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 $496, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $496 per year. Woolmer is 12.6 km from Toowoomba CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $200 per year, $5,574 from Highfields versus $5,374 from Woolmer.
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 Highfields by $496 a year, $3,213 against $3,709.
- Building insurance favours Woolmer by $200 a year, $1,550 against $1,750.
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.
Fire risk is rated medium in Highfields against low in Woolmer, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Highfields cumulative | Woolmer cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,595 | $8,891 | $296 |
| Year 3 | $26,566 | $27,481 | $915 |
| Year 5 | $45,632 | $47,204 | $1,572 |
| Year 10 | $98,532 | $101,925 | $3,393 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Highfields or Woolmer cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Highfields runs $8,595 a year by car and Woolmer $8,891, but most of the $296 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $496. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Highfields and Woolmer?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,444 in Highfields (Toowoomba Regional Council) and $1,444 in Woolmer (Toowoomba Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,188 in Highfields and $2,188 in Woolmer. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Highfields and Woolmer?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,213 from Highfields and $3,709 from Woolmer to Toowoomba CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Highfields and $192 from Woolmer.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Highfields and Woolmer?
At 3% annual cost growth, Highfields costs a cumulative $98,532 and Woolmer costs $101,925 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,393 in favour of Highfields. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Highfields and Woolmer suits you better?
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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.