Ballengarra vs Cairncross: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Ballengarra and Cairncross are both Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 21.6 km and 21.4 km from Port Macquarie CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Cairncross runs $482 a year cheaper than Ballengarra, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,526.
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 →Ballengarra
Cairncross
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Ballengarra | Cairncross | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,370 | $1,370 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,510 | $5,478 | +$32 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,850 | $2,400 | +$450 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,030 | $10,548 | +$482 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,920 | $7,470 | +$450 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Ballengarra | Cairncross | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,774 | $2,827 | -$53 |
| Unit | $2,329 | $2,369 | -$40 |
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 — Ballengarra vs Cairncross (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Cairncross costs $482 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,526 in favour of Cairncross.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $450 per year. Ballengarra carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $450 per year, $7,920 from Ballengarra versus $7,470 from Cairncross.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,370 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute favours Cairncross by $32 a year, $5,478 against $5,510.
- Building insurance favours Cairncross by $450 a year, $2,400 against $2,850.
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.
Flood risk is rated medium in Ballengarra against low in Cairncross, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Ballengarra cumulative | Cairncross cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,030 | $10,548 | $482 |
| Year 3 | $34,093 | $32,603 | $1,490 |
| Year 5 | $58,560 | $56,001 | $2,559 |
| Year 10 | $126,447 | $120,921 | $5,526 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ballengarra or Cairncross cheaper to live in?
Cairncross is cheaper to run by car at $10,548 per year versus $11,030 for Ballengarra, a difference of $482 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Ballengarra and Cairncross?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,370 in Ballengarra (Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG) and $1,370 in Cairncross (Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Ballengarra and $1,300 in Cairncross. 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 Ballengarra and Cairncross?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,510 from Ballengarra and $5,478 from Cairncross to Port Macquarie CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Ballengarra and $2,400 from Cairncross.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Ballengarra and Cairncross?
At 3% annual cost growth, Ballengarra costs a cumulative $126,447 and Cairncross costs $120,921 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,526 in favour of Cairncross. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Ballengarra and Cairncross 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: Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG and Port Macquarie-Hastings 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.