Kentville vs Lockyer Waters, 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 Lockyer Waters are both Lockyer Valley Regional Council suburbs, sitting 17 km and 17.2 km from Gatton CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $41 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.
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Lockyer Waters
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Kentville | Lockyer Waters | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,395 | $1,395 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $4,678 | $4,719 | -$41 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $4,678 | $4,719 | -$41 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,000 | $2,000 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,500 | $1,400 | +$100 |
| Total (driving) | $9,973 | $10,014 | -$41 |
| Total (public transport) | $9,973 | $10,014 | -$41 |
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 | Kentville | Lockyer Waters | 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 Lockyer Waters (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Kentville and Lockyer Waters cost within $41 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $470, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $41 per year. Lockyer Waters is 17.2 km from Gatton CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $9,973 and $10,014 a year, so the $41 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
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 $41 a year, $4,678 against $4,719.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,000 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 | Kentville cumulative | Lockyer Waters cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,973 | $10,014 | $41 |
| Year 3 | $30,826 | $30,952 | $126 |
| Year 5 | $52,948 | $53,166 | $218 |
| Year 10 | $114,329 | $114,799 | $470 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kentville or Lockyer Waters cheaper to live in?
Kentville is cheaper to run by car at $9,973 per year versus $10,014 for Lockyer Waters, a difference of $41 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Kentville and Lockyer Waters?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,395 in Kentville (Lockyer Valley Regional Council) and $1,395 in Lockyer Waters (Lockyer Valley Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Kentville and $1,900 in Lockyer Waters. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Kentville and Lockyer Waters?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,678 from Kentville and $4,719 from Lockyer Waters 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 Kentville and Lockyer Waters?
At 3% annual cost growth, Kentville costs a cumulative $114,329 and Lockyer Waters costs $114,799 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $470 in favour of Kentville. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Kentville and Lockyer Waters 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.