Bungabbee vs Fernside: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Bungabbee and Fernside are both Lismore rates (OLG suburbs, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Bungabbee runs $450 a year cheaper than Fernside, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,159.
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 →Bungabbee
Fernside
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bungabbee | Fernside | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,534 | $1,534 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $18,200 | $18,200 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,000 | $2,450 | -$450 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,034 | $23,484 | -$450 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,234 | $7,684 | -$450 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Bungabbee | Fernside | 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 — Bungabbee vs Fernside (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Bungabbee costs $450 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,159 in favour of Bungabbee.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $450 per year. Fernside carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $450 per year, $7,234 from Bungabbee versus $7,684 from Fernside.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,534 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute is identical at $18,200 a year.
- Building insurance favours Bungabbee by $450 a year, $2,000 against $2,450.
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 medium in Fernside against low in Bungabbee, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bungabbee cumulative | Fernside cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,034 | $23,484 | $450 |
| Year 3 | $71,196 | $72,587 | $1,391 |
| Year 5 | $122,291 | $124,680 | $2,389 |
| Year 10 | $264,059 | $269,218 | $5,159 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bungabbee or Fernside cheaper to live in?
Bungabbee is cheaper to run by car at $23,034 per year versus $23,484 for Fernside, a difference of $450 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Bungabbee and Fernside?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,534 in Bungabbee (Lismore rates (OLG) and $1,534 in Fernside (Lismore rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Bungabbee and $1,300 in Fernside. 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 Bungabbee and Fernside?
Bungabbee 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. Fernside 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 Bungabbee and $2,400 from Fernside.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bungabbee and Fernside?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bungabbee costs a cumulative $264,059 and Fernside costs $269,218 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,159 in favour of Bungabbee. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bungabbee and Fernside 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: Lismore rates (OLG and Lismore rates (OLG 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.