Brooklet vs Knockrow: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Brooklet and Knockrow are both Ballina Shire Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 6% in suburbs, sitting 610.6 km and 609.4 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Brooklet runs $1,100 a year cheaper than Knockrow, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $12,610.
Over 10 years, Brooklet costs about $12,600 less to run than Knockrow — the same as paying $12,600 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Knockrow
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Brooklet | Knockrow | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,384 | $1,384 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,700 | $2,800 | -$1,100 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $21,984 | $23,084 | -$1,100 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,784 | $7,884 | -$1,100 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Brooklet | Knockrow | 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 — Brooklet vs Knockrow (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Brooklet 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 Brooklet.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $1,100 per year. Knockrow carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $1,100 per year, $6,784 from Brooklet versus $7,884 from Knockrow.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Brooklet cumulative | Knockrow cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $21,984 | $23,084 | $1,100 |
| Year 3 | $67,950 | $71,350 | $3,400 |
| Year 5 | $116,716 | $122,556 | $5,840 |
| Year 10 | $252,022 | $264,632 | $12,610 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Brooklet or Knockrow cheaper to live in?
Brooklet is cheaper to run by car at $21,984 per year versus $23,084 for Knockrow, a difference of $1,100 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Brooklet and Knockrow?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,384 in Brooklet (Ballina Shire Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 6% in) and $1,384 in Knockrow (Ballina Shire Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 6% in). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Brooklet and $1,300 in Knockrow. 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 Brooklet and Knockrow?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Brooklet and $17,600 from Knockrow to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Brooklet and $2,400 from Knockrow.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Brooklet and Knockrow?
At 3% annual cost growth, Brooklet costs a cumulative $252,022 and Knockrow costs $264,632 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $12,610 in favour of Brooklet. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Brooklet and Knockrow is best to actually live in?
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Related comparisons
Sources: Ballina Shire Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 6% in 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.