Hodgson Vale vs Top Camp: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Hodgson Vale and Top Camp are both Toowoomba Regional Council suburbs, sitting 12.8 km and 8.4 km from Toowoomba CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Top Camp runs $1,030 a year cheaper than Hodgson Vale, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $11,808.
Over 10 years, Top Camp costs about $11,800 less to run than Hodgson Vale — the same as paying $11,800 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Top Camp
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Hodgson Vale | Top Camp | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,444 | $1,444 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,188 | $2,188 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,757 | $2,627 | +$1,130 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,900 | $2,000 | -$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,900 | -$100 |
| Total (driving) | $9,289 | $8,259 | +$1,030 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,724 | $5,824 | -$100 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Hodgson Vale | Top Camp | 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 — Hodgson Vale vs Top Camp (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Top Camp costs $1,030 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $11,808 in favour of Top Camp.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $1,130 per year. Hodgson Vale is 12.8 km from Toowoomba CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $5,724 and $5,824 a year, so the $1,030 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
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 Top Camp by $1,130 a year, $2,627 against $3,757.
- Building insurance favours Hodgson Vale by $100 a year, $1,900 against $2,000.
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 Top Camp against low in Hodgson Vale, which feeds the insurance estimate. The catchment state school scores 7.1 in Top Camp against 5.8 in Hodgson Vale, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Hodgson Vale cumulative | Top Camp cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,289 | $8,259 | $1,030 |
| Year 3 | $28,711 | $25,528 | $3,183 |
| Year 5 | $49,317 | $43,848 | $5,469 |
| Year 10 | $106,488 | $94,680 | $11,808 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hodgson Vale or Top Camp cheaper to live in?
Top Camp is cheaper to run by car at $8,259 per year versus $9,289 for Hodgson Vale, a difference of $1,030 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Hodgson Vale and Top Camp?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,444 in Hodgson Vale (Toowoomba Regional Council) and $1,444 in Top Camp (Toowoomba Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,188 in Hodgson Vale and $2,188 in Top Camp. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Hodgson Vale and Top Camp?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,757 from Hodgson Vale and $2,627 from Top Camp to Toowoomba CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Hodgson Vale and $192 from Top Camp.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Hodgson Vale and Top Camp?
At 3% annual cost growth, Hodgson Vale costs a cumulative $106,488 and Top Camp costs $94,680 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $11,808 in favour of Top Camp. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Hodgson Vale and Top Camp is best to actually live in?
You've got the costs. Get the free personalised report for the rest: a clear verdict on which suburb wins, the full flood, fire and crime risk profile, nearest schools, estimated electricity cost by number of occupants, and your own loan or rent stress-tested over 10 years. No spam.
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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 AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.