Bombira vs Milroy: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Bombira and Milroy are both Mid-Western Regional rates (OLG suburbs, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Bombira runs $300 a year cheaper than Milroy, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,439.
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 →Bombira
Milroy
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bombira | Milroy | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,122 | $1,122 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $18,200 | $18,200 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,700 | $2,000 | -$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $22,322 | $22,622 | -$300 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,522 | $6,822 | -$300 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Bombira | Milroy | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $3,115 | $3,115 | - |
| Unit | $2,585 | $2,585 | - |
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 — Bombira vs Milroy (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Bombira costs $300 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,439 in favour of Bombira.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $300 per year.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $6,522 from Bombira versus $6,822 from Milroy.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,122 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute is identical at $18,200 a year.
- Building insurance favours Bombira by $300 a year, $1,700 against $2,000.
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 the insurance band.
Fire risk is rated medium in Milroy against low in Bombira, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bombira cumulative | Milroy cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $22,322 | $22,622 | $300 |
| Year 3 | $68,995 | $69,922 | $927 |
| Year 5 | $118,511 | $120,103 | $1,592 |
| Year 10 | $255,897 | $259,336 | $3,439 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bombira or Milroy cheaper to live in?
Bombira is cheaper to run by car at $22,322 per year versus $22,622 for Milroy, a difference of $300 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Bombira and Milroy?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,122 in Bombira (Mid-Western Regional rates (OLG) and $1,122 in Milroy (Mid-Western Regional rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Bombira and $1,300 in Milroy. 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 Bombira and Milroy?
Bombira 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. Milroy 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 Bombira and $2,400 from Milroy.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bombira and Milroy?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bombira costs a cumulative $255,897 and Milroy costs $259,336 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,439 in favour of Bombira. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bombira and Milroy 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: Mid-Western Regional rates (OLG and Mid-Western Regional 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.