Bilambil Heights vs Cobaki: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Bilambil Heights and Cobaki are both Tweed rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 664.9 km and 665.9 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $0 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.
Bilambil Heights
Cobaki
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bilambil Heights | Cobaki | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,799 | $1,799 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,100 | $3,100 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,799 | $23,799 | - |
| Total (public transport) | $8,599 | $8,599 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Bilambil Heights | Cobaki | 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 — Bilambil Heights vs Cobaki (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Bilambil Heights and Cobaki cost within $0 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $0, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $0 per year.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $8,599 and $8,599 a year, so the $0 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bilambil Heights cumulative | Cobaki cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,799 | $23,799 | $0 |
| Year 3 | $73,560 | $73,560 | $0 |
| Year 5 | $126,352 | $126,352 | $0 |
| Year 10 | $272,829 | $272,829 | $0 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bilambil Heights or Cobaki cheaper to live in?
Bilambil Heights is cheaper to run by car at $23,799 per year versus $23,799 for Cobaki, a difference of $0 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Bilambil Heights and Cobaki?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,799 in Bilambil Heights (Tweed rates (OLG) and $1,799 in Cobaki (Tweed rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Bilambil Heights and $1,300 in Cobaki. 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 Bilambil Heights and Cobaki?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Bilambil Heights and $17,600 from Cobaki to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Bilambil Heights and $2,400 from Cobaki.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bilambil Heights and Cobaki?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bilambil Heights costs a cumulative $272,829 and Cobaki costs $272,829 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $0 in favour of Bilambil Heights. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bilambil Heights and Cobaki 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: Tweed rates (OLG and Tweed 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.