Athol sits 18.7 kilometres from Brisbane CBD. Annual running costs for a house total $6,688, covering council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance. Unit costs reach $7,438, with the $2,000 body corporate levy accounting for the entire difference between the two. At 18.7km from the CBD, transport mode shifts the annual total by $1,388. The gap widens as commute costs rise.
Lower cost
Annual cost — house
$6,688
Driving · per year
$557/month
Annual cost — unit
$7,438
Incl. body corporate
$620/month
House vs unit difference
+$750
Unit costs more per year
Annual cost breakdown
Council rates
Toowoomba Regional Council 2025-26
$1,351
Water & sewerage
Toowoomba Regional Council Water & Sewerage 2025-26
$2,057
Commute — driving
ATO 88c/km · 18.7km from CBD · 192 days
$1,580
Home insurance
Estimated — flood Low, fire Low
$1,700
Body corporate
Estimated
$2,000
Total annual running cost
$6,688
($557/month)
↓ 27% below Toowoomba Regional Council average
SuburbCost affordability score ●●●●○8.5/10
Compare Athol with another suburb
Nearby: No nearby suburbs with data found
Is it cheaper to drive or take public transport from Athol to the CBD?
Public transport saves Athol residents $1,388 per year. Annual commute cost by car is $1,580 versus $192 by public transport using Translink's flat 50 cent fare.
What are the council rates in Athol?
Athol falls under Toowoomba Regional Council. The residential general rate for 2025–26 is $1,351 per year for an owner-occupied house. Unit owners in strata schemes pay $1,351 per year. These figures cover the general rate only and exclude waste and cleansing charges.
What does it cost to run a unit in Athol?
Running a unit in Athol costs approximately $7,438 per year by car or $6,050 by public transport. This includes council rates of $1,351, water and sewerage $2,057, estimated body corporate levy of $2,000, and contents insurance of $450. Body corporate fees vary significantly between buildings — always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.
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Data sources: Council rates: Toowoomba Regional Council 2025-26. Water: Toowoomba Regional Council Water & Sewerage 2025-26. Commute: ATO cents per kilometre rate 2025–26 (88c/km). Insurance: AI-estimated, disclosed as estimate. Schools: ACARA NAPLAN 2025. Risk: Queensland Globe, QFES. Data updated July 2025. Cost estimates are for comparison purposes only and do not constitute financial, insurance, or credit advice.