Broulee vs Tomakin: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Broulee and Tomakin are both Eurobodalla rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 240.1 km and 236.9 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Tomakin runs $400 a year cheaper than Broulee, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,586.
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 →Broulee
Tomakin
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Broulee | Tomakin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,285 | $1,285 | - |
| 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) | $23,685 | $23,285 | +$400 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,485 | $8,085 | +$400 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Broulee | Tomakin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,420 | $2,420 | - |
| Unit | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
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 — Broulee vs Tomakin (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Tomakin costs $400 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,586 in favour of Tomakin.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $400 per year. Broulee carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $8,485 from Broulee versus $8,085 from Tomakin.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Broulee cumulative | Tomakin cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,685 | $23,285 | $400 |
| Year 3 | $73,208 | $71,972 | $1,236 |
| Year 5 | $125,747 | $123,623 | $2,124 |
| Year 10 | $271,522 | $266,936 | $4,586 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Broulee or Tomakin cheaper to live in?
Tomakin is cheaper to run by car at $23,285 per year versus $23,685 for Broulee, a difference of $400 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Broulee and Tomakin?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,285 in Broulee (Eurobodalla rates (OLG) and $1,285 in Tomakin (Eurobodalla rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Broulee and $1,300 in Tomakin. 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 Broulee and Tomakin?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Broulee and $17,600 from Tomakin to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Broulee and $2,400 from Tomakin.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Broulee and Tomakin?
At 3% annual cost growth, Broulee costs a cumulative $271,522 and Tomakin costs $266,936 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,586 in favour of Tomakin. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Broulee and Tomakin 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: Eurobodalla rates (OLG and Eurobodalla rates (OLG 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.