Arrawarra vs Mullaway: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Arrawarra and Mullaway are both Coffs Harbour rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 463.2 km and 460.8 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Arrawarra runs $400 a year cheaper than Mullaway, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,585.
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 →Arrawarra
Mullaway
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Arrawarra | Mullaway | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,490 | $1,490 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,100 | $3,500 | -$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,490 | $23,890 | -$400 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,290 | $8,690 | -$400 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Arrawarra | Mullaway | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,098 | $2,098 | - |
| Unit | $1,679 | $1,679 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2025 rates (QLD 30c/kWh, NSW 33c/kWh incl. supply charge; 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 costs $400 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,585 in favour of Arrawarra.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $400 per year. Mullaway carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $8,290 from Arrawarra versus $8,690 from Mullaway.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Arrawarra cumulative | Mullaway cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,490 | $23,890 | $400 |
| Year 3 | $72,605 | $73,842 | $1,237 |
| Year 5 | $124,712 | $126,835 | $2,123 |
| Year 10 | $269,287 | $273,872 | $4,585 |
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 $23,490 per year versus $23,890 for Mullaway, a difference of $400 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/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 $17,600 from Arrawarra and $17,600 from Mullaway to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Arrawarra and $2,400 from Mullaway.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Arrawarra and Mullaway?
At 3% annual cost growth, Arrawarra costs a cumulative $269,287 and Mullaway costs $273,872 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,585 in favour of Arrawarra. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Arrawarra and Mullaway 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: 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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.