Broadwater vs Cabbage Tree Island: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Broadwater (Richmond Valley rates (OLG) and Cabbage Tree Island (Ballina Shire Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 6% in) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (580.3 km and 583.9 km).
Cabbage Tree Island runs $345 a year cheaper than Broadwater, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,955.
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 →Broadwater
Cabbage Tree Island
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Broadwater | Cabbage Tree Island | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,329 | $1,384 | -$55 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,500 | $3,100 | +$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,729 | $23,384 | +$345 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,529 | $8,184 | +$345 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Broadwater | Cabbage Tree Island | 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 — Broadwater vs Cabbage Tree Island (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Cabbage Tree Island costs $345 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,955 in favour of Cabbage Tree Island.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $400 per year. Broadwater carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $345 per year, $8,529 from Broadwater versus $8,184 from Cabbage Tree Island.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Broadwater cumulative | Cabbage Tree Island cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,729 | $23,384 | $345 |
| Year 3 | $73,344 | $72,278 | $1,066 |
| Year 5 | $125,980 | $124,149 | $1,831 |
| Year 10 | $272,026 | $268,071 | $3,955 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Broadwater or Cabbage Tree Island cheaper to live in?
Cabbage Tree Island is cheaper to run by car at $23,384 per year versus $23,729 for Broadwater, a difference of $345 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Broadwater and Cabbage Tree Island?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,329 in Broadwater (Richmond Valley rates (OLG) and $1,384 in Cabbage Tree Island (Ballina Shire Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 6% in). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Broadwater and $1,300 in Cabbage Tree Island. 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 Broadwater and Cabbage Tree Island?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Broadwater and $17,600 from Cabbage Tree Island to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Broadwater and $2,400 from Cabbage Tree Island.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Broadwater and Cabbage Tree Island?
At 3% annual cost growth, Broadwater costs a cumulative $272,026 and Cabbage Tree Island costs $268,071 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,955 in favour of Cabbage Tree Island. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Broadwater and Cabbage Tree Island 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: Richmond Valley rates (OLG and Ballina Shire Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 6% in 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.