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Map of Wainui
55.1 km from Toowoomba CBD
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True annual cost of living in Wainui, QLD 4404

Living in a house in Wainui costs about $11,675 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. Wainui sits 55.1 kilometres from Toowoomba CBD. Unit costs reach $11,695, with the $1,600 body corporate levy accounting for the entire difference between the two. At 55.1km, the commute dominates running costs. Drivers pay $5,801 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

Running costs sit near the Toowoomba Regional Council average, cheaper than 46% of suburbs in the region.
The commute is the biggest expense at $5,993, roughly 51% of the annual total.
Switching from driving to public transport saves $5,801 a year, a significant saving at this distance.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →
Lower cost
House annual cost
$11,675
Driving · per year
$973/month
Unit annual cost
$11,695
Incl. body corporate
$975/month
House vs unit difference
+$20
Unit costs more 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 · 55.1km from Toowoomba CBD · 192 days
$5,993
Home insurance
Estimated · flood Low · fire Low
$2,050
Total annual running cost
$11,675
($973/month)
Near Toowoomba Regional Council average
SuburbCost affordability score ●●●○○ 5.9/10 Average
Cheaper to run than 46% 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 Wainui'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 Wainui

within a 2 km walk
Nearest stop
No scheduled service within a 2 km walk of the suburb centre.
Supermarkets
0
Cafes
0
Parks
1
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 Wainui with another suburb

Frequently asked questions about Wainui

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

Public transport saves Wainui residents $5,801 per year. Annual commute cost by car is $5,993 versus $192 by public transport using Translink's flat 50 cent fare.

What are the council rates in Wainui?

Wainui 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 Wainui?

Running a unit in Wainui costs approximately $11,695 per year by car or $5,894 by public transport. This includes council rates of $1,444, water and sewerage $2,188, estimated body corporate levy of $1,600, and contents insurance of $470. Body corporate fees vary significantly between buildings. Always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.

Is Wainui close to public transport?

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

Within a 2 km walk of the centre of Wainui there are 0 supermarkets, 0 cafes and 1 park. 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.