Brooklet vs Newrybar: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Brooklet and Newrybar are both Ballina Shire Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 6% in suburbs, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Brooklet runs $1,400 a year cheaper than Newrybar, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $16,050.
Over 10 years, Brooklet costs about $16,100 less to run than Newrybar — the same as paying $16,100 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Brooklet
Newrybar
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Brooklet | Newrybar | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,384 | $1,384 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $18,200 | $18,200 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,700 | $3,100 | -$1,400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $22,584 | $23,984 | -$1,400 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,784 | $8,184 | -$1,400 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Brooklet | Newrybar | 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 — Brooklet vs Newrybar (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Brooklet costs $1,400 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $16,050 in favour of Brooklet.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $1,400 per year. Newrybar carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $1,400 per year, $6,784 from Brooklet versus $8,184 from Newrybar.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,384 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute is identical at $18,200 a year.
- Building insurance favours Brooklet by $1,400 a year, $1,700 against $3,100.
Both suburbs sit in the same council area, so the rates line is identical and none of the difference between them comes from council. What separates them is the insurance band.
Flood risk is rated high in Newrybar against low in Brooklet, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated medium in Newrybar against low in Brooklet, which feeds the insurance estimate. The catchment state school scores 8.1 in Newrybar against 6.8 in Brooklet, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Brooklet cumulative | Newrybar cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $22,584 | $23,984 | $1,400 |
| Year 3 | $69,805 | $74,132 | $4,327 |
| Year 5 | $119,902 | $127,334 | $7,432 |
| Year 10 | $258,900 | $274,950 | $16,050 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Brooklet or Newrybar cheaper to live in?
Brooklet is cheaper to run by car at $22,584 per year versus $23,984 for Newrybar, a difference of $1,400 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Brooklet and Newrybar?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,384 in Brooklet (Ballina Shire Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 6% in) and $1,384 in Newrybar (Ballina Shire Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 6% in). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Brooklet and $1,300 in Newrybar. 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 Newrybar?
Brooklet 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. Newrybar 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 Brooklet and $2,400 from Newrybar.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Brooklet and Newrybar?
At 3% annual cost growth, Brooklet costs a cumulative $258,900 and Newrybar costs $274,950 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $16,050 in favour of Brooklet. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Brooklet and Newrybar 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: 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 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.