Lowood vs Rifle Range: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Lowood and Rifle Range are both Somerset Regional Council suburbs, sitting 70.8 km and 74.8 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Lowood runs $369 a year cheaper than Rifle Range, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,230.
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 →Lowood
Rifle Range
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Lowood | Rifle Range | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,284 | $1,284 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,991 | $3,160 | -$169 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,900 | $3,100 | -$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,600 | $1,400 | +$200 |
| Total (driving) | $9,075 | $9,444 | -$369 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,276 | $6,476 | -$200 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Lowood | Rifle Range | 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 — Lowood vs Rifle Range (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Lowood costs $369 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,230 in favour of Lowood.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $200 per year.
On public transport the gap is $200 per year, $6,276 from Lowood versus $6,476 from Rifle Range.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Lowood cumulative | Rifle Range cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,075 | $9,444 | $369 |
| Year 3 | $28,050 | $29,190 | $1,140 |
| Year 5 | $48,180 | $50,139 | $1,959 |
| Year 10 | $104,035 | $108,265 | $4,230 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lowood or Rifle Range cheaper to live in?
Lowood is cheaper to run by car at $9,075 per year versus $9,444 for Rifle Range, a difference of $369 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Lowood and Rifle Range?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,284 in Lowood (Somerset Regional Council) and $1,284 in Rifle Range (Somerset Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Lowood and $1,900 in Rifle Range. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Lowood and Rifle Range?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,991 from Lowood and $3,160 from Rifle Range to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Lowood and $192 from Rifle Range.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Lowood and Rifle Range?
At 3% annual cost growth, Lowood costs a cumulative $104,035 and Rifle Range costs $108,265 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,230 in favour of Lowood. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Lowood and Rifle Range 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: Somerset Regional Council and Somerset 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.