Kentville vs Lockrose: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Kentville and Lockrose are both Lockyer Valley Regional Council suburbs, sitting 17 km and 19.7 km from Gatton CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $189 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. 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 →Kentville
Lockrose
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Kentville | Lockrose | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,395 | $1,395 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,678 | $5,189 | -$511 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,900 | $2,200 | +$700 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,400 | +$100 |
| Total (driving) | $10,873 | $10,684 | +$189 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,387 | $5,687 | +$700 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Kentville | Lockrose | 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 — Kentville vs Lockrose (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Kentville and Lockrose cost within $189 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,167, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $700 per year.
On public transport the gap is $700 per year, $6,387 from Kentville versus $5,687 from Lockrose.
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 Kentville by $511 a year, $4,678 against $5,189.
- Building insurance favours Lockrose by $700 a year, $2,200 against $2,900.
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 high in Kentville against medium in Lockrose, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Kentville cumulative | Lockrose cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,873 | $10,684 | $189 |
| Year 3 | $33,607 | $33,023 | $584 |
| Year 5 | $57,726 | $56,723 | $1,003 |
| Year 10 | $124,647 | $122,480 | $2,167 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kentville or Lockrose cheaper to live in?
Lockrose is cheaper to run by car at $10,684 per year versus $10,873 for Kentville, a difference of $189 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Kentville and Lockrose?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,395 in Kentville (Lockyer Valley Regional Council) and $1,395 in Lockrose (Lockyer Valley Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Kentville and $1,900 in Lockrose. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Kentville and Lockrose?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,678 from Kentville and $5,189 from Lockrose to Gatton CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Kentville and $192 from Lockrose.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Kentville and Lockrose?
At 3% annual cost growth, Kentville costs a cumulative $124,647 and Lockrose costs $122,480 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,167 in favour of Lockrose. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Kentville and Lockrose 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: 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 AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.