Booyong vs Nashua: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Booyong (Lismore rates (OLG) and Nashua (Byron rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (607.1 km and 609.5 km).
Nashua runs $335 a year cheaper than Booyong, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,840.
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 →Booyong
Nashua
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Booyong | Nashua | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,534 | $1,649 | -$115 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,450 | $2,000 | +$450 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $22,884 | $22,549 | +$335 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,684 | $7,349 | +$335 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Booyong | Nashua | 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 — Booyong vs Nashua (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Nashua costs $335 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,840 in favour of Nashua.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $450 per year. Booyong carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $335 per year, $7,684 from Booyong versus $7,349 from Nashua.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Booyong cumulative | Nashua cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $22,884 | $22,549 | $335 |
| Year 3 | $70,732 | $69,697 | $1,035 |
| Year 5 | $121,494 | $119,716 | $1,778 |
| Year 10 | $262,339 | $258,499 | $3,840 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Booyong or Nashua cheaper to live in?
Nashua is cheaper to run by car at $22,549 per year versus $22,884 for Booyong, a difference of $335 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Booyong and Nashua?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,534 in Booyong (Lismore rates (OLG) and $1,649 in Nashua (Byron rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Booyong and $1,300 in Nashua. 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 Booyong and Nashua?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Booyong and $17,600 from Nashua to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Booyong and $2,400 from Nashua.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Booyong and Nashua?
At 3% annual cost growth, Booyong costs a cumulative $262,339 and Nashua costs $258,499 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,840 in favour of Nashua. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Booyong and Nashua 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: Lismore rates (OLG and Byron 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.