Ma Ma Creek vs Upper Tenthill, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Ma Ma Creek and Upper Tenthill are both Lockyer Valley Regional Council suburbs, sitting 12.5 km and 12.7 km from Gatton CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $53 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.
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Upper Tenthill
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Ma Ma Creek | Upper Tenthill | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,395 | $1,395 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $3,686 | $3,733 | -$47 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $3,686 | $3,733 | -$47 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,650 | $2,550 | +$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,300 | $1,500 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $9,631 | $9,578 | +$53 |
| Total (public transport) | $9,631 | $9,578 | +$53 |
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 | Ma Ma Creek | Upper Tenthill | 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, Ma Ma Creek vs Upper Tenthill (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Ma Ma Creek and Upper Tenthill cost within $53 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $608, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $100 per year.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $9,631 and $9,578 a year, so the $53 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
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 Ma Ma Creek by $47 a year, $3,686 against $3,733.
- Building insurance favours Upper Tenthill by $100 a year, $2,550 against $2,650.
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 | Ma Ma Creek cumulative | Upper Tenthill cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,631 | $9,578 | $53 |
| Year 3 | $29,768 | $29,605 | $163 |
| Year 5 | $51,132 | $50,851 | $281 |
| Year 10 | $110,409 | $109,801 | $608 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ma Ma Creek or Upper Tenthill cheaper to live in?
Upper Tenthill is cheaper to run by car at $9,578 per year versus $9,631 for Ma Ma Creek, a difference of $53 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Ma Ma Creek and Upper Tenthill?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,395 in Ma Ma Creek (Lockyer Valley Regional Council) and $1,395 in Upper Tenthill (Lockyer Valley Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Ma Ma Creek and $1,900 in Upper Tenthill. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Ma Ma Creek and Upper Tenthill?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,686 from Ma Ma Creek and $3,733 from Upper Tenthill 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 Ma Ma Creek and Upper Tenthill?
At 3% annual cost growth, Ma Ma Creek costs a cumulative $110,409 and Upper Tenthill costs $109,801 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $608 in favour of Upper Tenthill. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Ma Ma Creek and Upper Tenthill 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.