Brimbin vs Cundletown: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Brimbin and Cundletown are both Mid-Coast rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 252.9 km and 252.9 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $250 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 →Brimbin
Cundletown
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Brimbin | Cundletown | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,609 | $1,609 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,850 | $3,100 | -$250 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,359 | $23,609 | -$250 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,159 | $8,409 | -$250 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Brimbin | Cundletown | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,148 | $2,148 | - |
| Unit | $1,716 | $1,716 | - |
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 — Brimbin vs Cundletown (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Brimbin and Cundletown cost within $250 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,866, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $250 per year. Cundletown carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $250 per year, $8,159 from Brimbin versus $8,409 from Cundletown.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Brimbin cumulative | Cundletown cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,359 | $23,609 | $250 |
| Year 3 | $72,200 | $72,973 | $773 |
| Year 5 | $124,016 | $125,343 | $1,327 |
| Year 10 | $267,785 | $270,651 | $2,866 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Brimbin or Cundletown cheaper to live in?
Brimbin is cheaper to run by car at $23,359 per year versus $23,609 for Cundletown, a difference of $250 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Brimbin and Cundletown?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,609 in Brimbin (Mid-Coast rates (OLG) and $1,609 in Cundletown (Mid-Coast rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Brimbin and $1,300 in Cundletown. 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 Brimbin and Cundletown?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Brimbin and $17,600 from Cundletown to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Brimbin and $2,400 from Cundletown.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Brimbin and Cundletown?
At 3% annual cost growth, Brimbin costs a cumulative $267,785 and Cundletown costs $270,651 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,866 in favour of Brimbin. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Brimbin and Cundletown 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-Coast rates (OLG and Mid-Coast 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.