Lowood vs Rifle Range: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Lowood and Rifle Range are both Somerset Regional Council suburbs, sitting 30 km and 26.3 km from Esk CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $183 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 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) | $6,552 | $6,169 | +$383 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,900 | $3,100 | -$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,600 | $1,400 | +$200 |
| Total (driving) | $12,636 | $12,453 | +$183 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,276 | $6,476 | -$200 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Lowood | Rifle Range | 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 — Lowood vs Rifle Range (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Lowood and Rifle Range cost within $183 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,098, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $383 per year. Lowood is 30 km from Esk CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $200 per year, $6,276 from Lowood versus $6,476 from Rifle Range.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,284 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,900 a year.
- Driving commute favours Rifle Range by $383 a year, $6,169 against $6,552.
- Building insurance favours Lowood by $200 a year, $2,900 against $3,100.
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 | Lowood cumulative | Rifle Range cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,636 | $12,453 | $183 |
| Year 3 | $39,057 | $38,491 | $566 |
| Year 5 | $67,086 | $66,115 | $971 |
| Year 10 | $144,858 | $142,760 | $2,098 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lowood or Rifle Range cheaper to live in?
Rifle Range is cheaper to run by car at $12,453 per year versus $12,636 for Lowood, a difference of $183 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/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 $6,552 from Lowood and $6,169 from Rifle Range to Esk CBD (ATO 91c/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 $144,858 and Rifle Range costs $142,760 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,098 in favour of Rifle Range. 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 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.