Laidley vs Laidley North, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Laidley and Laidley North are both Lockyer Valley Regional Council suburbs, sitting 16.1 km and 14 km from Gatton CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Laidley North runs $458 a year cheaper than Laidley, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,251.
Over 10 years, Laidley North costs about $5,300 less to run than Laidley. That's about $10 a week.
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Laidley North
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Laidley | Laidley North | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,395 | $1,395 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $4,494 | $4,036 | +$458 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $4,494 | $4,036 | +$458 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,950 | $1,950 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,600 | $1,400 | +$200 |
| Total (driving) | $9,739 | $9,281 | +$458 |
| Total (public transport) | $9,739 | $9,281 | +$458 |
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 | Laidley | Laidley North | 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, Laidley vs Laidley North (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Laidley North costs $458 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,251 in favour of Laidley North.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $458 per year. Laidley is 16.1 km from Gatton CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $458 per year, $9,739 from Laidley versus $9,281 from Laidley North.
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 Laidley North by $458 a year, $4,036 against $4,494.
- Building insurance is identical at $1,950 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 | Laidley cumulative | Laidley North cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,739 | $9,281 | $458 |
| Year 3 | $30,102 | $28,687 | $1,415 |
| Year 5 | $51,706 | $49,274 | $2,432 |
| Year 10 | $111,647 | $106,396 | $5,251 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Laidley or Laidley North cheaper to live in?
Laidley North is cheaper to run by car at $9,281 per year versus $9,739 for Laidley, a difference of $458 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Laidley and Laidley North?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,395 in Laidley (Lockyer Valley Regional Council) and $1,395 in Laidley North (Lockyer Valley Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Laidley and $1,900 in Laidley North. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Laidley and Laidley North?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,494 from Laidley and $4,036 from Laidley North 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 Laidley and Laidley North?
At 3% annual cost growth, Laidley costs a cumulative $111,647 and Laidley North costs $106,396 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,251 in favour of Laidley North. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Laidley and Laidley North 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.