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Map of Forest Springs
49.8 km from Toowoomba CBD
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True annual cost of living in Forest Springs, QLD 4362

Living in a house in Forest Springs costs about $12,124 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. Forest Springs sits 49.8 kilometres from Toowoomba CBD. Unit costs come in at $12,064, as lower council rates more than offset the $1,400 body corporate levy. The commute is costed by car to Toowoomba, at $6,570 a year, because no daily public transport commute is assumed here.

Last updated July 2026 · Southern Downs Regional Council rates 2026-27, ATO 91c/km, AER electricity benchmarks

3 key insights

Cheaper to run than 32% of Southern Downs Regional Council suburbs, about 37% below the regional average.
The commute is the biggest expense at $6,570, roughly 54% of the annual total.
The nearest state school scores 7.3/10 (ACARA ICSEA), above average for Queensland.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →
House annual cost
$12,124
Driving · per year
$1,010/month
About $233 a week to run a house here, including estimates
Lower cost
Unit annual cost
$12,064
Incl. body corporate
$1,005/month
About $232 a week to run a unit here, including estimates
House vs unit difference
−$60
Unit is cheaper per year

Annual cost breakdown

Council rates
Official, 2026-27 Southern Downs Regional Council
$1,416
Water & sewerage
Estimated Toowoomba Regional Council Water & Sewerage, standing in
$2,188
Driving commute
Modelled, 2026-27 ATO 91c/km · 49.8km from Toowoomba CBD · 192 days
$6,570
Home insurance
Estimated flood Low · fire Low
$1,950
Total annual running cost
$12,124
($1,010/month, $233/week)

Excludes electricity, estimated separately below. Also excludes the state Emergency Management Levy on your rates notice, $127 a year here (levy class E, 2026-27).

↓ 37% below Southern Downs Regional Council average
SuburbCost affordability score ●●●○○ 6.0/10 Average
Cheaper to run than 32% of Southern Downs Regional Council suburbs. Score blends running cost (50%), schools (20%) and flood & fire risk (30%).

Estimated electricity cost

typical 2-person household
House
$2,274/yr
5,591 kWh
Unit
$1,870/yr
4,193 kWh
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for Forest Springs's climate zone at 2026-27 regulated prices for its electricity network. Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.

Getting around Forest Springs

within a 2 km walk
Nearest stop
No scheduled service within a 2 km walk of the suburb centre.
Supermarkets
0
Cafes
0
Parks
0
Counted from OpenStreetMap via Overpass inside a 2 km walking radius of the suburb centre, built 2026-11-03. Distances are straight line from that centre, so a specific address can be closer or further. Mapping is contributed and can lag a new opening.

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Frequently asked questions about Forest Springs

Is it cheaper to drive or take public transport from Forest Springs to Toowoomba CBD?

Public transport options are limited in Forest Springs; driving is the practical commute at $6,570 per year.

What are the council rates in Forest Springs?

Forest Springs falls under Southern Downs Regional Council. The minimum residential general rate for 2026-27 is $1,416 per year for an owner-occupied house. Properties on higher land value pay more. Unit owners in strata schemes pay $1,416 per year. These figures cover the general rate only and exclude waste and cleansing charges. Water and sewerage on this page is Toowoomba Regional Council Water & Sewerage 2026-27's charge, standing in until this council's own schedule is loaded.

What does it cost to run a unit in Forest Springs?

Running a unit in Forest Springs costs approximately $12,064 per year by car or $12,064 by public transport. This includes council rates of $1,416, water and sewerage $2,188, estimated body corporate levy of $1,400, and contents insurance of $490. Body corporate fees vary significantly between buildings. Always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.

Is Forest Springs close to public transport?

No scheduled public transport stop was found within a 2 km walk of the centre of Forest Springs. The running cost on this page assumes driving, which is why the commute component is the largest line for most suburbs in this position.

What shops and parks are in Forest Springs?

Within a 2 km walk of the centre of Forest Springs there are 0 supermarkets, 0 cafes and 0 parks. These counts come from OpenStreetMap via Overpass, which is contributed mapping and can lag a recent opening or closure.

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Data sources: Council rates: Southern Downs Regional Council 2026-27. Water: Toowoomba Regional Council Water & Sewerage 2026-27. Commute: ATO cents per kilometre rate 2026–27 (91c/km). Insurance: estimated from ACCC 2026 premium rates for the area's cyclone risk on a standard $600,000 home, adjusted for flood and fire, disclosed as estimate. Schools: ACARA ICSEA 2025. Risk: Queensland Globe, QFES. Data last verified September 2026.
Cost estimates are for comparison purposes only and do not constitute financial, insurance, or credit advice.