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.
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) | $18,200 | $18,200 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,500 | $3,100 | +$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $24,329 | $23,984 | +$345 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,529 | $8,184 | +$345 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/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 | $2,774 | $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
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.
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 $400 a year, $3,100 against $3,500.
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 | $24,329 | $23,984 | $345 |
| Year 3 | $75,199 | $74,132 | $1,067 |
| Year 5 | $129,166 | $127,334 | $1,832 |
| Year 10 | $278,905 | $274,950 | $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 $23,984 per year versus $24,329 for Broadwater, a difference of $345 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/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?
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. 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 $278,905 and Cabbage Tree Island costs $274,950 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 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.