Kentville vs Morton Vale: 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 Morton Vale are both Lockyer Valley Regional Council suburbs, sitting 17 km and 13.1 km from Gatton CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Morton Vale runs $850 a year cheaper than Kentville, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $9,745.
Over 10 years, Morton Vale costs about $9,700 less to run than Kentville — the same as paying $9,700 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Morton Vale
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Kentville | Morton Vale | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,395 | $1,395 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,678 | $3,828 | +$850 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,900 | $2,900 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,873 | $10,023 | +$850 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,387 | $6,387 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Kentville | Morton Vale | 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 Morton Vale (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Morton Vale costs $850 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $9,745 in favour of Morton Vale.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $850 per year. Kentville is 17 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, $6,387 and $6,387 a year, so the $850 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 Morton Vale by $850 a year, $3,828 against $4,678.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,900 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 | Morton Vale cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,873 | $10,023 | $850 |
| Year 3 | $33,607 | $30,980 | $2,627 |
| Year 5 | $57,726 | $53,213 | $4,513 |
| Year 10 | $124,647 | $114,902 | $9,745 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kentville or Morton Vale cheaper to live in?
Morton Vale is cheaper to run by car at $10,023 per year versus $10,873 for Kentville, a difference of $850 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Kentville and Morton Vale?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,395 in Kentville (Lockyer Valley Regional Council) and $1,395 in Morton Vale (Lockyer Valley Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Kentville and $1,900 in Morton Vale. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Kentville and Morton Vale?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,678 from Kentville and $3,828 from Morton Vale to Gatton CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Kentville and $192 from Morton Vale.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Kentville and Morton Vale?
At 3% annual cost growth, Kentville costs a cumulative $124,647 and Morton Vale costs $114,902 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $9,745 in favour of Morton Vale. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Kentville and Morton Vale is best to actually live in?
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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.