Prince Henry Heights vs Redwood: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Prince Henry Heights and Redwood are both Toowoomba Regional Council suburbs, sitting 4.5 km and 3.9 km from Toowoomba CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Redwood runs $1,187 a year cheaper than Prince Henry Heights, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $13,608.
Over 10 years, Redwood costs about $13,600 less to run than Prince Henry Heights — the same as paying $13,600 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Redwood
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Prince Henry Heights | Redwood | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,444 | $1,444 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,188 | $2,188 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $1,484 | $1,297 | +$187 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,000 | $2,000 | +$1,000 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,000 | $2,000 | - |
| Total (driving) | $8,116 | $6,929 | +$1,187 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,824 | $5,824 | +$1,000 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Prince Henry Heights | Redwood | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,274 | $2,274 | - |
| Unit | $1,870 | $1,870 | - |
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 — Prince Henry Heights vs Redwood (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Redwood costs $1,187 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $13,608 in favour of Redwood.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $1,000 per year.
On public transport the gap is $1,000 per year, $6,824 from Prince Henry Heights versus $5,824 from Redwood.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,444 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $2,188 a year.
- Driving commute favours Redwood by $187 a year, $1,297 against $1,484.
- Building insurance favours Redwood by $1,000 a year, $2,000 against $3,000.
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.
Fire risk is rated high in Prince Henry Heights against medium in Redwood, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Prince Henry Heights cumulative | Redwood cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,116 | $6,929 | $1,187 |
| Year 3 | $25,086 | $21,417 | $3,669 |
| Year 5 | $43,089 | $36,787 | $6,302 |
| Year 10 | $93,041 | $79,433 | $13,608 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Prince Henry Heights or Redwood cheaper to live in?
Redwood is cheaper to run by car at $6,929 per year versus $8,116 for Prince Henry Heights, a difference of $1,187 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Prince Henry Heights and Redwood?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,444 in Prince Henry Heights (Toowoomba Regional Council) and $1,444 in Redwood (Toowoomba Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,188 in Prince Henry Heights and $2,188 in Redwood. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Prince Henry Heights and Redwood?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,484 from Prince Henry Heights and $1,297 from Redwood to Toowoomba CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Prince Henry Heights and $192 from Redwood.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Prince Henry Heights and Redwood?
At 3% annual cost growth, Prince Henry Heights costs a cumulative $93,041 and Redwood costs $79,433 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $13,608 in favour of Redwood. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Prince Henry Heights and Redwood 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.
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Sources: Toowoomba Regional Council and Toowoomba 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.