Appletree Flat vs Jerrys Plains: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Appletree Flat and Jerrys Plains are both Singleton rates (OLG suburbs, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Jerrys Plains runs $400 a year cheaper than Appletree Flat, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,586.
Over 10 years these two cost about the same to run. The difference here isn't money — it's location, schools and lifestyle.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Appletree Flat
Jerrys Plains
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Appletree Flat | Jerrys Plains | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,341 | $1,341 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $18,200 | $18,200 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,400 | $2,000 | +$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,241 | $22,841 | +$400 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,441 | $7,041 | +$400 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Appletree Flat | Jerrys Plains | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,615 | $2,615 | - |
| Unit | $2,113 | $2,113 | - |
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 — Appletree Flat vs Jerrys Plains (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Jerrys Plains costs $400 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,586 in favour of Jerrys Plains.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $400 per year.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $7,441 from Appletree Flat versus $7,041 from Jerrys Plains.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,341 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute is identical at $18,200 a year.
- Building insurance favours Jerrys Plains by $400 a year, $2,000 against $2,400.
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 the insurance band.
Fire risk is rated high in Appletree Flat against medium in Jerrys Plains, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Appletree Flat cumulative | Jerrys Plains cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,241 | $22,841 | $400 |
| Year 3 | $71,836 | $70,599 | $1,237 |
| Year 5 | $123,390 | $121,266 | $2,124 |
| Year 10 | $266,432 | $261,846 | $4,586 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Appletree Flat or Jerrys Plains cheaper to live in?
Jerrys Plains is cheaper to run by car at $22,841 per year versus $23,241 for Appletree Flat, a difference of $400 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Appletree Flat and Jerrys Plains?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,341 in Appletree Flat (Singleton rates (OLG) and $1,341 in Jerrys Plains (Singleton rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Appletree Flat and $1,300 in Jerrys Plains. Both figures are the average residential rate reported to the Office of Local Government, uplifted by each council's IPART rate peg.
How does the commute cost compare between Appletree Flat and Jerrys Plains?
Appletree Flat carries a flat regional driving allowance of $18,200, about 20,000 km of household driving a year, because it is more than 100 km from Sydney CBD. Jerrys Plains carries a flat regional driving allowance of $18,200, about 20,000 km of household driving a year, because it is more than 100 km from Sydney CBD. Public transport costs $2,400 from Appletree Flat and $2,400 from Jerrys Plains.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Appletree Flat and Jerrys Plains?
At 3% annual cost growth, Appletree Flat costs a cumulative $266,432 and Jerrys Plains costs $261,846 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,586 in favour of Jerrys Plains. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Appletree Flat and Jerrys Plains 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.
Related comparisons
Sources: Singleton rates (OLG and Singleton rates (OLG 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.