Luscombe vs Wolffdene, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Luscombe (City of Gold Coast) and Wolffdene (Logan City Council) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas.
Luscombe runs $1,350 a year cheaper than Wolffdene, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $15,476.
Over 10 years, Luscombe costs about $15,500 less to run than Wolffdene. That's about $30 a week.
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Wolffdene
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Luscombe | Wolffdene | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,359 | $1,699 | -$340 |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,169 | $2,149 | +$20 |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,284 | $6,964 | -$680 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,050 | $2,400 | -$350 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,000 | $1,800 | +$200 |
| Total (driving) | $11,862 | $13,212 | -$1,350 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,770 | $6,440 | -$670 |
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 | Luscombe | Wolffdene | 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, Luscombe vs Wolffdene (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Luscombe costs $1,350 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $15,476 in favour of Luscombe.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $680 per year. Wolffdene is 37.6 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $670 per year, $5,770 from Luscombe versus $6,440 from Wolffdene.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Luscombe by $340 a year, $1,359 against $1,699.
- Water and sewerage favours Wolffdene by $20 a year, $2,149 against $2,169.
- Driving commute favours Luscombe by $680 a year, $6,284 against $6,964.
- Building insurance favours Luscombe by $350 a year, $2,050 against $2,400.
They sit in different council areas, so the rates line is set by two different councils. For QLD that figure is the minimum residential general rate for an owner-occupied principal place of residence, a floor rather than a typical bill.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Luscombe cumulative | Wolffdene cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,862 | $13,212 | $1,350 |
| Year 3 | $36,664 | $40,837 | $4,173 |
| Year 5 | $62,977 | $70,144 | $7,167 |
| Year 10 | $135,985 | $151,461 | $15,476 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Luscombe or Wolffdene cheaper to live in?
Luscombe is cheaper to run by car at $11,862 per year versus $13,212 for Wolffdene, a difference of $1,350 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Luscombe and Wolffdene?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,359 in Luscombe (City of Gold Coast) and $1,699 in Wolffdene (Logan City Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,169 in Luscombe and $2,149 in Wolffdene. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Luscombe and Wolffdene?
Luscombe is $6,284 a year to drive to Gold Coast CBD (ATO 91c/km). Wolffdene is $6,964 a year to drive to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Luscombe and $192 from Wolffdene.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Luscombe and Wolffdene?
At 3% annual cost growth, Luscombe costs a cumulative $135,985 and Wolffdene costs $151,461 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $15,476 in favour of Luscombe. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Luscombe and Wolffdene suits you better?
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Sources: City of Gold Coast and Logan City 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.