Bentley vs Boorabee Park: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Bentley (Lismore rates (OLG) and Boorabee Park (Kyogle rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas.
Boorabee Park runs $614 a year cheaper than Bentley, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $7,039.
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 →Bentley
Boorabee Park
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bentley | Boorabee Park | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,534 | $1,320 | +$214 |
| 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) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,434 | $22,820 | +$614 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,634 | $7,020 | +$614 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Bentley | Boorabee Park | 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 — Bentley vs Boorabee Park (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Boorabee Park costs $614 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $7,039 in favour of Boorabee Park.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $400 per year.
On public transport the gap is $614 per year, $7,634 from Bentley versus $7,020 from Boorabee Park.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Boorabee Park by $214 a year, $1,320 against $1,534.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute is identical at $18,200 a year.
- Building insurance favours Boorabee Park by $400 a year, $2,000 against $2,400.
They sit in different council areas, so the rates line is set by two different councils. For NSW that figure is the average residential rate reported to the Office of Local Government, uplifted by that council's IPART rate peg.
Fire risk is rated high in Bentley against medium in Boorabee Park, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bentley cumulative | Boorabee Park cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,434 | $22,820 | $614 |
| Year 3 | $72,432 | $70,534 | $1,898 |
| Year 5 | $124,414 | $121,154 | $3,260 |
| Year 10 | $268,645 | $261,606 | $7,039 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bentley or Boorabee Park cheaper to live in?
Boorabee Park is cheaper to run by car at $22,820 per year versus $23,434 for Bentley, a difference of $614 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Bentley and Boorabee Park?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,534 in Bentley (Lismore rates (OLG) and $1,320 in Boorabee Park (Kyogle rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Bentley and $1,300 in Boorabee Park. 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 Bentley and Boorabee Park?
Bentley 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. Boorabee Park 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 Bentley and $2,400 from Boorabee Park.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bentley and Boorabee Park?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bentley costs a cumulative $268,645 and Boorabee Park costs $261,606 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $7,039 in favour of Boorabee Park. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bentley and Boorabee Park 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.
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Sources: Lismore rates (OLG and Kyogle 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.