Luscombe vs Wolffdene: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/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 at similar distances from Brisbane CBD (39.7 km and 37.6 km).
Luscombe runs $663 a year cheaper than Wolffdene, driven mostly by council rates. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $7,600.
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 →Luscombe
Wolffdene
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Luscombe | Wolffdene | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,359 | $1,816 | -$457 |
| Water & sewerage | $2,169 | $2,149 | +$20 |
| Commute (driving) | $6,758 | $6,734 | +$24 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,950 | $3,200 | -$250 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,000 | $1,800 | +$200 |
| Total (driving) | $13,236 | $13,899 | -$663 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,670 | $7,357 | -$687 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Luscombe | Wolffdene | 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 — Luscombe vs Wolffdene (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Luscombe costs $663 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $7,600 in favour of Luscombe.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $457 per year.
On public transport the gap is $687 per year, $6,670 from Luscombe versus $7,357 from Wolffdene.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Luscombe cumulative | Wolffdene cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $13,236 | $13,899 | $663 |
| Year 3 | $40,911 | $42,960 | $2,049 |
| Year 5 | $70,272 | $73,792 | $3,520 |
| Year 10 | $151,736 | $159,336 | $7,600 |
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 $13,236 per year versus $13,899 for Wolffdene, a difference of $663 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/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 $1,816 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?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,758 from Luscombe and $6,734 from Wolffdene to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/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 $151,736 and Wolffdene costs $159,336 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $7,600 in favour of Luscombe. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Luscombe and Wolffdene 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: City of Gold Coast and Logan City 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.