Highvale vs Jollys Lookout: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/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 $684 a year cheaper than Highvale, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $7,841.
Over 10 years these two cost about the same to run. The difference here isn't money — it's location, schools and lifestyle.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Highvale
Jollys Lookout
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Highvale | Jollys Lookout | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,636 | $1,636 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,144 | $2,144 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,636 | $5,052 | +$584 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,400 | $3,300 | +$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,500 | +$300 |
| Total (driving) | $12,816 | $12,132 | +$684 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,372 | $7,272 | +$100 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Highvale | Jollys Lookout | 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 — Highvale vs Jollys Lookout (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Jollys Lookout costs $684 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $7,841 in favour of Jollys Lookout.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $584 per year. Highvale is 23.7 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,372 and $7,272 a year, so the $684 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Highvale cumulative | Jollys Lookout cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,816 | $12,132 | $684 |
| Year 3 | $39,613 | $37,499 | $2,114 |
| Year 5 | $68,042 | $64,410 | $3,632 |
| Year 10 | $146,921 | $139,080 | $7,841 |
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 $12,132 per year versus $12,816 for Highvale, a difference of $684 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Highvale and Jollys Lookout?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,636 in Highvale (Moreton Bay Regional Council) and $1,636 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 $5,636 from Highvale and $5,052 from Jollys Lookout to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/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 $146,921 and Jollys Lookout costs $139,080 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $7,841 in favour of Jollys Lookout. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Highvale and Jollys Lookout is best to actually live in?
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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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.