Hillview vs Lamington, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Hillview and Lamington are both Scenic Rim Regional Council suburbs, sitting 26.8 km and 31 km from Beaudesert CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Hillview runs $408 a year cheaper than Lamington, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,677.
Over 10 years, Hillview costs about $4,700 less to run than Lamington. That's about $9 a week.
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Lamington
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Hillview | Lamington | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,376 | $1,376 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,227 | $6,635 | -$408 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,227 | $6,635 | -$408 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,200 | $2,200 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,400 | $1,400 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,703 | $12,111 | -$408 |
| Total (public transport) | $11,703 | $12,111 | -$408 |
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 | Hillview | Lamington | 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, Hillview vs Lamington (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Hillview costs $408 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,677 in favour of Hillview.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $408 per year. Lamington is 31 km from Beaudesert CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $408 per year, $11,703 from Hillview versus $12,111 from Lamington.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,376 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,900 a year.
- Driving commute favours Hillview by $408 a year, $6,227 against $6,635.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,200 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 | Hillview cumulative | Lamington cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,703 | $12,111 | $408 |
| Year 3 | $36,173 | $37,434 | $1,261 |
| Year 5 | $62,133 | $64,299 | $2,166 |
| Year 10 | $134,162 | $138,839 | $4,677 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hillview or Lamington cheaper to live in?
Hillview is cheaper to run by car at $11,703 per year versus $12,111 for Lamington, a difference of $408 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Hillview and Lamington?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,376 in Hillview (Scenic Rim Regional Council) and $1,376 in Lamington (Scenic Rim Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Hillview and $1,900 in Lamington. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Hillview and Lamington?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,227 from Hillview and $6,635 from Lamington to Beaudesert 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 Hillview and Lamington?
At 3% annual cost growth, Hillview costs a cumulative $134,162 and Lamington costs $138,839 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,677 in favour of Hillview. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Hillview and Lamington suits you better?
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Sources: Scenic Rim Regional Council and Scenic Rim 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.