Kentville vs Lockyer Waters: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Kentville and Lockyer Waters are both Lockyer Valley Regional Council suburbs, sitting 17 km and 82.8 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Lockyer Waters runs $1,027 a year cheaper than Kentville, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $11,773.
Over 10 years, Lockyer Waters costs about $11,800 less to run than Kentville — the same as paying $11,800 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Lockyer Waters
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Kentville | Lockyer Waters | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,395 | $1,395 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,524 | $3,497 | +$1,027 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,900 | $2,900 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,400 | +$100 |
| Total (driving) | $10,719 | $9,692 | +$1,027 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,387 | $6,387 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Kentville | Lockyer Waters | 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 — Kentville vs Lockyer Waters (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Lockyer Waters costs $1,027 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $11,773 in favour of Lockyer Waters.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $1,027 per year. Lockyer Waters is 82.8 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, $6,387 and $6,387 a year, so the $1,027 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Kentville cumulative | Lockyer Waters cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,719 | $9,692 | $1,027 |
| Year 3 | $33,131 | $29,957 | $3,174 |
| Year 5 | $56,909 | $51,456 | $5,453 |
| Year 10 | $122,881 | $111,108 | $11,773 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kentville or Lockyer Waters cheaper to live in?
Lockyer Waters is cheaper to run by car at $9,692 per year versus $10,719 for Kentville, a difference of $1,027 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/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 $4,524 from Kentville and $3,497 from Lockyer Waters to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Kentville and $192 from Lockyer Waters.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Kentville and Lockyer Waters?
At 3% annual cost growth, Kentville costs a cumulative $122,881 and Lockyer Waters costs $111,108 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $11,773 in favour of Lockyer Waters. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Kentville and Lockyer Waters 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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.