Lower Tenthill vs Winwill: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Lower Tenthill and Winwill are both Lockyer Valley Regional Council suburbs, sitting 6.4 km and 8.5 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Lower Tenthill runs $477 a year cheaper than Winwill, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,469.
Over 10 years these two cost about the same to run. The difference here isn't money — it's location, schools and lifestyle.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Lower Tenthill
Winwill
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Lower Tenthill | Winwill | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,395 | $1,395 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $1,990 | $2,567 | -$577 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,000 | $2,900 | +$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,300 | $1,400 | -$100 |
| Total (driving) | $8,285 | $8,762 | -$477 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,487 | $6,387 | +$100 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Lower Tenthill | Winwill | 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 — Lower Tenthill vs Winwill (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Lower Tenthill costs $477 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,469 in favour of Lower Tenthill.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $577 per year. Winwill is 8.5 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, $6,487 and $6,387 a year, so the $477 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Lower Tenthill cumulative | Winwill cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,285 | $8,762 | $477 |
| Year 3 | $25,608 | $27,082 | $1,474 |
| Year 5 | $43,986 | $46,519 | $2,533 |
| Year 10 | $94,978 | $100,447 | $5,469 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lower Tenthill or Winwill cheaper to live in?
Lower Tenthill is cheaper to run by car at $8,285 per year versus $8,762 for Winwill, a difference of $477 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Lower Tenthill and Winwill?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,395 in Lower Tenthill (Lockyer Valley Regional Council) and $1,395 in Winwill (Lockyer Valley Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Lower Tenthill and $1,900 in Winwill. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Lower Tenthill and Winwill?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,990 from Lower Tenthill and $2,567 from Winwill to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Lower Tenthill and $192 from Winwill.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Lower Tenthill and Winwill?
At 3% annual cost growth, Lower Tenthill costs a cumulative $94,978 and Winwill costs $100,447 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,469 in favour of Lower Tenthill. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Lower Tenthill and Winwill 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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.