Boambee East vs Toormina, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Boambee East and Toormina are both Coffs Harbour rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 6 km and 6.4 km from Coffs Harbour CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $119 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.
Over 10 years, Boambee East costs about $1,400 less to run than Toormina. That's about $3 a week.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict → Personalise this comparison with your own commute, home type and loan →Boambee East
Toormina
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Boambee East | Toormina | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,490 | $1,490 | - |
| Water & sewerage Estimated | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,939 | $2,058 | -$119 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,939 | $2,058 | -$119 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,800 | $2,800 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $7,529 | $7,648 | -$119 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,529 | $7,648 | -$119 |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Boambee East | Toormina | 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, Boambee East vs Toormina (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Boambee East and Toormina cost within $119 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,364, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $119 per year. Toormina is 6.4 km from Coffs Harbour CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,529 and $7,648 a year, so the $119 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,490 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute favours Boambee East by $119 a year, $1,939 against $2,058.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,800 a year.
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.
The catchment state school scores 5.9 in Boambee East against 4.1 in Toormina, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Boambee East cumulative | Toormina cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,529 | $7,648 | $119 |
| Year 3 | $23,271 | $23,639 | $368 |
| Year 5 | $39,972 | $40,604 | $632 |
| Year 10 | $86,312 | $87,676 | $1,364 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Boambee East or Toormina cheaper to live in?
Boambee East is cheaper to run by car at $7,529 per year versus $7,648 for Toormina, a difference of $119 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Boambee East and Toormina?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,490 in Boambee East (Coffs Harbour rates (OLG) and $1,490 in Toormina (Coffs Harbour rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Boambee East and $1,300 in Toormina. 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 Boambee East and Toormina?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,939 from Boambee East and $2,058 from Toormina to Coffs Harbour CBD (ATO 91c/km). No daily public transport commute is assumed from either suburb, so both are costed by car.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Boambee East and Toormina?
At 3% annual cost growth, Boambee East costs a cumulative $86,312 and Toormina costs $87,676 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,364 in favour of Boambee East. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Boambee East and Toormina suits you better?
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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 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.