Broadwater vs Cabbage Tree Island, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/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.
The two sit within $245 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 the gap between these two is about $2,800, about $5 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Cabbage Tree Island
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Broadwater | Cabbage Tree Island | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,329 | $1,384 | -$55 |
| Water & sewerage Estimated | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $18,200 | $18,200 | - |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $18,200 | $18,200 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,450 | $2,150 | +$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,279 | $23,034 | +$245 |
| Total (public transport) | $23,279 | $23,034 | +$245 |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Broadwater | Cabbage Tree Island | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,774 | $2,774 | - |
| Unit | $2,329 | $2,329 | - |
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, Broadwater vs Cabbage Tree Island (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Broadwater and Cabbage Tree Island differ by $245 a year by car, but $300 of that is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On the sourced costs, council rates, water and the commute, the gap is $55, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $300 per year. Broadwater carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $245 per year, $23,279 from Broadwater versus $23,034 from Cabbage Tree Island.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Broadwater by $55 a year, $1,329 against $1,384.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute is identical at $18,200 a year.
- Building insurance favours Cabbage Tree Island by $300 a year, $2,150 against $2,450.
They sit in different council areas, so the rates line is set by two different councils. For NSW that figure is the average residential rate reported to the Office of Local Government, uplifted by that council's IPART rate peg.
Fire risk is rated high in Broadwater against medium in Cabbage Tree Island, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Broadwater cumulative | Cabbage Tree Island cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,279 | $23,034 | $245 |
| Year 3 | $71,953 | $71,196 | $757 |
| Year 5 | $123,591 | $122,291 | $1,300 |
| Year 10 | $266,868 | $264,059 | $2,809 |
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?
Neither is named cheaper. Broadwater runs $23,279 a year by car and Cabbage Tree Island $23,034, but most of the $245 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $55. 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?
Broadwater 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. Cabbage Tree Island 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. No daily public transport commute is assumed from either suburb, so both are costed by car.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Broadwater and Cabbage Tree Island?
At 3% annual cost growth, Broadwater costs a cumulative $266,868 and Cabbage Tree Island costs $264,059 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,809 in favour of Cabbage Tree Island. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Broadwater and Cabbage Tree Island suits you better?
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.
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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 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.