Kensington Grove vs Regency Downs: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/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 Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Regency Downs runs $577 a year cheaper than Kensington Grove, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,615.
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 →Kensington Grove
Regency Downs
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Kensington Grove | Regency Downs | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,395 | $1,395 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,983 | $4,406 | +$577 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,000 | $3,000 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,278 | $10,701 | +$577 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,487 | $6,487 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Kensington Grove | Regency Downs | 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 — Kensington Grove vs Regency Downs (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Regency Downs costs $577 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $6,615 in favour of Regency Downs.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $577 per year. Kensington Grove is 19.5 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, $6,487 and $6,487 a year, so the $577 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Kensington Grove cumulative | Regency Downs cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,278 | $10,701 | $577 |
| Year 3 | $34,859 | $33,076 | $1,783 |
| Year 5 | $59,876 | $56,813 | $3,063 |
| Year 10 | $129,290 | $122,675 | $6,615 |
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 $10,701 per year versus $11,278 for Kensington Grove, a difference of $577 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/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 $4,983 from Kensington Grove and $4,406 from Regency Downs to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Kensington Grove and $192 from Regency Downs.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Kensington Grove and Regency Downs?
At 3% annual cost growth, Kensington Grove costs a cumulative $129,290 and Regency Downs costs $122,675 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,615 in favour of Regency Downs. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Kensington Grove and Regency Downs 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.
Related comparisons
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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.