Hillcrest vs Regents Park, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Hillcrest and Regents Park are both Logan City Council suburbs, sitting 22.1 km and 23.1 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $52 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 these two cost about the same to run.
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Regents Park
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Hillcrest | Regents Park | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,699 | $1,699 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,149 | $2,149 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $5,589 | $5,741 | -$152 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,550 | $1,450 | +$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,200 | $2,800 | -$600 |
| Total (driving) | $10,987 | $11,039 | -$52 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,590 | $5,490 | +$100 |
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 | Hillcrest | Regents Park | 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, Hillcrest vs Regents Park (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Hillcrest and Regents Park cost within $52 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $596, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $152 per year. Regents Park is 23.1 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, $5,590 and $5,490 a year, so the $52 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,699 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $2,149 a year.
- Driving commute favours Hillcrest by $152 a year, $5,589 against $5,741.
- Building insurance favours Regents Park by $100 a year, $1,450 against $1,550.
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 | Hillcrest cumulative | Regents Park cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,987 | $11,039 | $52 |
| Year 3 | $33,960 | $34,120 | $160 |
| Year 5 | $58,331 | $58,608 | $277 |
| Year 10 | $125,954 | $126,550 | $596 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hillcrest or Regents Park cheaper to live in?
Hillcrest is cheaper to run by car at $10,987 per year versus $11,039 for Regents Park, a difference of $52 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Hillcrest and Regents Park?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,699 in Hillcrest (Logan City Council) and $1,699 in Regents Park (Logan City Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,149 in Hillcrest and $2,149 in Regents Park. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Hillcrest and Regents Park?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,589 from Hillcrest and $5,741 from Regents Park to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Hillcrest and $192 from Regents Park.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Hillcrest and Regents Park?
At 3% annual cost growth, Hillcrest costs a cumulative $125,954 and Regents Park costs $126,550 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $596 in favour of Hillcrest. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Hillcrest and Regents Park suits you better?
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Sources: Logan City Council and Logan City 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.