Bombo vs Minnamurra: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Bombo and Minnamurra are both Kiama rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 92.9 km and 90.2 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $118 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 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 →Bombo
Minnamurra
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bombo | Minnamurra | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,959 | $1,959 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,058 | $3,940 | +$118 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,800 | $2,800 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,365 | $10,247 | +$118 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,707 | $8,707 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Bombo | Minnamurra | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,442 | $2,442 | - |
| Unit | $2,001 | $2,001 | - |
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 — Bombo vs Minnamurra (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Bombo and Minnamurra cost within $118 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,353, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $118 per year. Bombo is 92.9 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $8,707 and $8,707 a year, so the $118 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,959 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Minnamurra by $118 a year, $3,940 against $4,058.
- 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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bombo cumulative | Minnamurra cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,365 | $10,247 | $118 |
| Year 3 | $32,037 | $31,672 | $365 |
| Year 5 | $55,029 | $54,403 | $626 |
| Year 10 | $118,823 | $117,470 | $1,353 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bombo or Minnamurra cheaper to live in?
Minnamurra is cheaper to run by car at $10,247 per year versus $10,365 for Bombo, a difference of $118 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Bombo and Minnamurra?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,959 in Bombo (Kiama rates (OLG) and $1,959 in Minnamurra (Kiama rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Bombo and $1,548 in Minnamurra. 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 Bombo and Minnamurra?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,058 from Bombo and $3,940 from Minnamurra to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Bombo and $2,400 from Minnamurra.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bombo and Minnamurra?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bombo costs a cumulative $118,823 and Minnamurra costs $117,470 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,353 in favour of Minnamurra. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bombo and Minnamurra 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: Kiama rates (OLG and Kiama 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.