Borambil vs Quirindi: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Borambil and Quirindi are both Liverpool Plains rates (OLG suburbs, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Borambil runs $1,100 a year cheaper than Quirindi, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $12,610.
Over 10 years, Borambil costs about $12,600 less to run than Quirindi — the same as paying $12,600 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 →Borambil
Quirindi
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Borambil | Quirindi | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $967 | $967 | - |
| 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) | $22,467 | $23,567 | -$1,100 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,667 | $7,767 | -$1,100 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Borambil | Quirindi | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $3,150 | $3,150 | - |
| Unit | $2,611 | $2,611 | - |
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 — Borambil vs Quirindi (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Borambil costs $1,100 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $12,610 in favour of Borambil.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $1,100 per year. Quirindi carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $1,100 per year, $6,667 from Borambil versus $7,767 from Quirindi.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $967 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute is identical at $18,200 a year.
- Building insurance favours Borambil by $1,100 a year, $2,000 against $3,100.
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.
Flood risk is rated high in Quirindi against low in Borambil, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Borambil cumulative | Quirindi cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $22,467 | $23,567 | $1,100 |
| Year 3 | $69,443 | $72,843 | $3,400 |
| Year 5 | $119,280 | $125,120 | $5,840 |
| Year 10 | $257,559 | $270,169 | $12,610 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Borambil or Quirindi cheaper to live in?
Borambil is cheaper to run by car at $22,467 per year versus $23,567 for Quirindi, a difference of $1,100 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Borambil and Quirindi?
Annual council rates for a house are $967 in Borambil (Liverpool Plains rates (OLG) and $967 in Quirindi (Liverpool Plains rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Borambil and $1,300 in Quirindi. 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 Borambil and Quirindi?
Borambil 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. Quirindi 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 Borambil and $2,400 from Quirindi.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Borambil and Quirindi?
At 3% annual cost growth, Borambil costs a cumulative $257,559 and Quirindi costs $270,169 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $12,610 in favour of Borambil. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Borambil and Quirindi 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: Liverpool Plains rates (OLG and Liverpool Plains 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.