Arrawarra vs Mullaway, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Arrawarra and Mullaway are both Coffs Harbour rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 27.6 km and 25 km from Coffs Harbour CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $39 a year of each other to run, so running cost is a minor factor here. The decision comes down to schools, risk and lifestyle, all in the free report.
Over 10 years these two cost about the same to run.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict → Personalise this comparison with your own commute, home type and loan →Arrawarra
Mullaway
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Arrawarra | Mullaway | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,490 | $1,490 | - |
| Water & sewerage Estimated | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,317 | $6,006 | +$311 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,317 | $6,006 | +$311 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,800 | $3,150 | -$350 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,907 | $11,946 | -$39 |
| Total (public transport) | $11,907 | $11,946 | -$39 |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Arrawarra | Mullaway | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,774 | $2,774 | - |
| Unit | $2,329 | $2,329 | - |
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, Arrawarra vs Mullaway (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Arrawarra and Mullaway cost within $39 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $448, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $350 per year. Mullaway carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $11,907 and $11,946 a year, so the $39 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,490 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute favours Mullaway by $311 a year, $6,006 against $6,317.
- Building insurance favours Arrawarra by $350 a year, $2,800 against $3,150.
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 commute distance and the insurance band.
Fire risk is rated high in Mullaway against medium in Arrawarra, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Arrawarra cumulative | Mullaway cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,907 | $11,946 | $39 |
| Year 3 | $36,803 | $36,924 | $121 |
| Year 5 | $63,216 | $63,423 | $207 |
| Year 10 | $136,500 | $136,948 | $448 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Arrawarra or Mullaway cheaper to live in?
Arrawarra is cheaper to run by car at $11,907 per year versus $11,946 for Mullaway, a difference of $39 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Arrawarra and Mullaway?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,490 in Arrawarra (Coffs Harbour rates (OLG) and $1,490 in Mullaway (Coffs Harbour rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Arrawarra and $1,300 in Mullaway. 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 Arrawarra and Mullaway?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,317 from Arrawarra and $6,006 from Mullaway to Coffs Harbour CBD (ATO 91c/km). No daily public transport commute is assumed from either suburb, so both are costed by car.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Arrawarra and Mullaway?
At 3% annual cost growth, Arrawarra costs a cumulative $136,500 and Mullaway costs $136,948 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $448 in favour of Arrawarra. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Arrawarra and Mullaway suits you better?
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.
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Sources: Coffs Harbour rates (OLG and Coffs Harbour rates (OLG rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.