Lake Clarendon vs Lawes: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Lake Clarendon and Lawes are both Lockyer Valley Regional Council suburbs, sitting 8.5 km and 5.8 km from Gatton CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Lawes runs $1,375 a year cheaper than Lake Clarendon, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $15,763.
Over 10 years, Lawes costs about $15,800 less to run than Lake Clarendon — the same as paying $15,800 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Lawes
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Lake Clarendon | Lawes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,395 | $1,395 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,655 | $1,880 | +$775 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,900 | $2,300 | +$600 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,400 | $1,500 | -$100 |
| Total (driving) | $8,850 | $7,475 | +$1,375 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,387 | $5,787 | +$600 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Lake Clarendon | Lawes | 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 — Lake Clarendon vs Lawes (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Lawes costs $1,375 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $15,763 in favour of Lawes.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $775 per year. Lake Clarendon is 8.5 km from Gatton CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $600 per year, $6,387 from Lake Clarendon versus $5,787 from Lawes.
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 Lawes by $775 a year, $1,880 against $2,655.
- Building insurance favours Lawes by $600 a year, $2,300 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 Lake Clarendon against medium in Lawes, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Lake Clarendon cumulative | Lawes cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,850 | $7,475 | $1,375 |
| Year 3 | $27,354 | $23,104 | $4,250 |
| Year 5 | $46,986 | $39,686 | $7,300 |
| Year 10 | $101,455 | $85,692 | $15,763 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lake Clarendon or Lawes cheaper to live in?
Lawes is cheaper to run by car at $7,475 per year versus $8,850 for Lake Clarendon, a difference of $1,375 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Lake Clarendon and Lawes?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,395 in Lake Clarendon (Lockyer Valley Regional Council) and $1,395 in Lawes (Lockyer Valley Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Lake Clarendon and $1,900 in Lawes. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Lake Clarendon and Lawes?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,655 from Lake Clarendon and $1,880 from Lawes to Gatton CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Lake Clarendon and $192 from Lawes.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Lake Clarendon and Lawes?
At 3% annual cost growth, Lake Clarendon costs a cumulative $101,455 and Lawes costs $85,692 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $15,763 in favour of Lawes. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Lake Clarendon and Lawes 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.
Related comparisons
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.