Binna Burra vs Newrybar: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Binna Burra (Byron rates (OLG) and Newrybar (Ballina Shire Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 6% in) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas.
Binna Burra runs $835 a year cheaper than Newrybar, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $9,573.
Over 10 years, Binna Burra costs about $9,600 less to run than Newrybar — the same as paying $9,600 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Binna Burra
Newrybar
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Binna Burra | Newrybar | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,649 | $1,384 | +$265 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $18,200 | $18,200 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,000 | $3,100 | -$1,100 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,149 | $23,984 | -$835 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,349 | $8,184 | -$835 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Binna Burra | Newrybar | 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 — Binna Burra vs Newrybar (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Binna Burra costs $835 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $9,573 in favour of Binna Burra.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $1,100 per year. Newrybar carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $835 per year, $7,349 from Binna Burra versus $8,184 from Newrybar.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Newrybar by $265 a year, $1,384 against $1,649.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute is identical at $18,200 a year.
- Building insurance favours Binna Burra by $1,100 a year, $2,000 against $3,100.
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.
Flood risk is rated high in Newrybar against low in Binna Burra, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Binna Burra cumulative | Newrybar cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,149 | $23,984 | $835 |
| Year 3 | $71,551 | $74,132 | $2,581 |
| Year 5 | $122,901 | $127,334 | $4,433 |
| Year 10 | $265,377 | $274,950 | $9,573 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Binna Burra or Newrybar cheaper to live in?
Binna Burra is cheaper to run by car at $23,149 per year versus $23,984 for Newrybar, a difference of $835 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Binna Burra and Newrybar?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,649 in Binna Burra (Byron rates (OLG) and $1,384 in Newrybar (Ballina Shire Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 6% in). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Binna Burra and $1,300 in Newrybar. 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 Binna Burra and Newrybar?
Binna Burra 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. Newrybar 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 Binna Burra and $2,400 from Newrybar.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Binna Burra and Newrybar?
At 3% annual cost growth, Binna Burra costs a cumulative $265,377 and Newrybar costs $274,950 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $9,573 in favour of Binna Burra. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Binna Burra and Newrybar 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: Byron rates (OLG and Ballina Shire Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 6% in 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.