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Map of Kilbirnie
38.2 km from Toowoomba CBD
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True annual cost of living in Kilbirnie, QLD 4354

Living in a house in Kilbirnie costs about $12,507 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. Kilbirnie sits 38.2 kilometres from Toowoomba CBD. Unit costs come in at $12,487, as lower council rates more than offset the $1,400 body corporate levy. At 38.2km, the commute dominates running costs. Drivers pay $6,783 more per year than public transport users.

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

3 key insights

Costs 10% more to run than the Toowoomba Regional Council average, cheaper than only 29% of suburbs in the region.
The commute is the biggest expense at $6,975, roughly 56% of the annual total.
Switching from driving to public transport saves $6,783 a year, a significant saving at this distance.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →
House annual cost
$12,507
Driving · per year
$1,042/month
Lower cost
Unit annual cost
$12,487
Incl. body corporate
$1,041/month
House vs unit difference
−$20
Unit is cheaper per year

Annual cost breakdown

Council rates
Toowoomba Regional Council 2026-27 · City Urban minimum, category not confirmed for this suburb
$1,444
Water & sewerage
Toowoomba Regional Council Water & Sewerage 2026-27
$2,188
Driving commute
ATO 91c/km · 38.2km from Toowoomba CBD · 192 days
$6,975
Home insurance
Estimated · flood Low · fire Low
$1,900
Total annual running cost
$12,507
($1,042/month)
↑ 10% above Toowoomba Regional Council average
SuburbCost affordability score ●●●○○ 5.7/10 Average
Cheaper to run than 29% of Toowoomba 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 Kilbirnie'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 Kilbirnie

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 2026-08-07. 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.

Compare Kilbirnie with another suburb

Frequently asked questions about Kilbirnie

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

Public transport saves Kilbirnie residents $6,783 per year. Annual commute cost by car is $6,975 versus $192 by public transport using Translink's flat 50 cent fare.

What are the council rates in Kilbirnie?

Kilbirnie falls under Toowoomba Regional Council. Toowoomba sets six residential categories and the minimum general rate runs from $1,083 to $1,444 depending on where the property is. The figure here is the City Urban minimum. Which category applies turns on Map 1 of the council’s rating maps, which is not published, so a property outside the Toowoomba city urban area may pay less than this. Properties on higher land value pay more than the minimum. These figures cover the general rate only and exclude waste and cleansing charges.

What does it cost to run a unit in Kilbirnie?

Running a unit in Kilbirnie costs approximately $12,487 per year by car or $5,704 by public transport. This includes council rates of $1,444, water and sewerage $2,188, estimated body corporate levy of $1,400, and contents insurance of $480. Body corporate fees vary significantly between buildings. Always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.

Is Kilbirnie close to public transport?

No scheduled public transport stop was found within a 2 km walk of the centre of Kilbirnie. 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 Kilbirnie?

Within a 2 km walk of the centre of Kilbirnie 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: Toowoomba Regional Council 2026-27. Water: Toowoomba Regional Council Water & Sewerage 2026-27. Commute: ATO cents per kilometre rate 2026–27 (91c/km). Insurance: AI-estimated, disclosed as estimate. Schools: ACARA ICSEA 2025. Risk: Queensland Globe, QFES. Data updated 2026-07.
Cost estimates are for comparison purposes only and do not constitute financial, insurance, or credit advice.