Highvale vs Jollys Lookout, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Highvale and Jollys Lookout are both Moreton Bay Regional Council suburbs, sitting 23.7 km and 19.9 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Jollys Lookout runs $654 a year cheaper than Highvale, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $7,498.
Over 10 years, Jollys Lookout costs about $7,500 less to run than Highvale. That's about $14 a week.
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Jollys Lookout
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Highvale | Jollys Lookout | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,309 | $1,309 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,144 | $2,144 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $5,828 | $5,224 | +$604 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,400 | $2,350 | +$50 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,800 | $1,500 | +$300 |
| Total (driving) | $11,681 | $11,027 | +$654 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,045 | $5,995 | +$50 |
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 | Highvale | Jollys Lookout | 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, Highvale vs Jollys Lookout (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Jollys Lookout costs $654 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $7,498 in favour of Jollys Lookout.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $604 per year. Highvale is 23.7 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $6,045 and $5,995 a year, so the $654 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,309 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $2,144 a year.
- Driving commute favours Jollys Lookout by $604 a year, $5,224 against $5,828.
- Building insurance favours Jollys Lookout by $50 a year, $2,350 against $2,400.
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 | Highvale cumulative | Jollys Lookout cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,681 | $11,027 | $654 |
| Year 3 | $36,105 | $34,083 | $2,022 |
| Year 5 | $62,016 | $58,544 | $3,472 |
| Year 10 | $133,910 | $126,412 | $7,498 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Highvale or Jollys Lookout cheaper to live in?
Jollys Lookout is cheaper to run by car at $11,027 per year versus $11,681 for Highvale, a difference of $654 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Highvale and Jollys Lookout?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,309 in Highvale (Moreton Bay Regional Council) and $1,309 in Jollys Lookout (Moreton Bay Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,144 in Highvale and $2,144 in Jollys Lookout. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Highvale and Jollys Lookout?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,828 from Highvale and $5,224 from Jollys Lookout to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Highvale and $192 from Jollys Lookout.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Highvale and Jollys Lookout?
At 3% annual cost growth, Highvale costs a cumulative $133,910 and Jollys Lookout costs $126,412 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $7,498 in favour of Jollys Lookout. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Highvale and Jollys Lookout suits you better?
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Sources: Moreton Bay Regional Council and Moreton Bay 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.