Lower Tenthill vs Woodlands, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Lower Tenthill and Woodlands are both Lockyer Valley Regional Council suburbs, sitting 6.4 km and 5.6 km from Gatton CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $288 a year of each other to run, so running cost is a minor factor here. The decision comes down to schools, risk and lifestyle, all in the free report.
Over 10 years, Woodlands costs about $3,300 less to run than Lower Tenthill. That's about $6 a week.
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Woodlands
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Lower Tenthill | Woodlands | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,395 | $1,395 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,058 | $1,820 | +$238 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,058 | $1,820 | +$238 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,500 | $2,450 | +$50 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,300 | $1,500 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $7,853 | $7,565 | +$288 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,853 | $7,565 | +$288 |
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 | Lower Tenthill | Woodlands | 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, Lower Tenthill vs Woodlands (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Lower Tenthill and Woodlands cost within $288 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $3,302, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $238 per year. Lower Tenthill is 6.4 km from Gatton CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $288 per year, $7,853 from Lower Tenthill versus $7,565 from Woodlands.
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 Woodlands by $238 a year, $1,820 against $2,058.
- Building insurance favours Woodlands by $50 a year, $2,450 against $2,500.
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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Lower Tenthill cumulative | Woodlands cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,853 | $7,565 | $288 |
| Year 3 | $24,273 | $23,383 | $890 |
| Year 5 | $41,693 | $40,164 | $1,529 |
| Year 10 | $90,026 | $86,724 | $3,302 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lower Tenthill or Woodlands cheaper to live in?
Woodlands is cheaper to run by car at $7,565 per year versus $7,853 for Lower Tenthill, a difference of $288 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Lower Tenthill and Woodlands?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,395 in Lower Tenthill (Lockyer Valley Regional Council) and $1,395 in Woodlands (Lockyer Valley Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Lower Tenthill and $1,900 in Woodlands. 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 Woodlands?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,058 from Lower Tenthill and $1,820 from Woodlands 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 Lower Tenthill and Woodlands?
At 3% annual cost growth, Lower Tenthill costs a cumulative $90,026 and Woodlands costs $86,724 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,302 in favour of Woodlands. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Lower Tenthill and Woodlands 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.