Kensington Grove vs Regency Downs, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Kensington Grove and Regency Downs are both Lockyer Valley Regional Council suburbs, sitting 19.5 km and 16.4 km from Gatton CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Regency Downs runs $597 a year cheaper than Kensington Grove, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,844.
Over 10 years, Regency Downs costs about $6,800 less to run than Kensington Grove. That's about $13 a week.
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Regency Downs
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Kensington Grove | Regency Downs | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,395 | $1,395 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $5,153 | $4,556 | +$597 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $5,153 | $4,556 | +$597 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,548 | $9,951 | +$597 |
| Total (public transport) | $10,548 | $9,951 | +$597 |
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 | Kensington Grove | Regency Downs | 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, Kensington Grove vs Regency Downs (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Regency Downs costs $597 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $6,844 in favour of Regency Downs.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $597 per year. Kensington Grove is 19.5 km from Gatton CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $597 per year, $10,548 from Kensington Grove versus $9,951 from Regency Downs.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,395 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,900 a year.
- Driving commute favours Regency Downs by $597 a year, $4,556 against $5,153.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,100 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 | Kensington Grove cumulative | Regency Downs cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,548 | $9,951 | $597 |
| Year 3 | $32,603 | $30,758 | $1,845 |
| Year 5 | $56,001 | $52,831 | $3,170 |
| Year 10 | $120,921 | $114,077 | $6,844 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kensington Grove or Regency Downs cheaper to live in?
Regency Downs is cheaper to run by car at $9,951 per year versus $10,548 for Kensington Grove, a difference of $597 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Kensington Grove and Regency Downs?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,395 in Kensington Grove (Lockyer Valley Regional Council) and $1,395 in Regency Downs (Lockyer Valley Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Kensington Grove and $1,900 in Regency Downs. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Kensington Grove and Regency Downs?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,153 from Kensington Grove and $4,556 from Regency Downs to Gatton 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 Kensington Grove and Regency Downs?
At 3% annual cost growth, Kensington Grove costs a cumulative $120,921 and Regency Downs costs $114,077 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,844 in favour of Regency Downs. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Kensington Grove and Regency Downs suits you better?
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Sources: Lockyer Valley Regional Council and Lockyer Valley 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.