Bungabbee vs Naughtons Gap, 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 (Lismore rates (OLG) and Naughtons Gap (Richmond Valley rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas.
The two sit within $145 a year of each other to run, so running cost is a minor factor here. The decision comes down to schools, risk and lifestyle, all in the free report.
Over 10 years the gap between these two is about $1,700, about $3 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict → Personalise this comparison with your own commute, home type and loan →Bungabbee
Naughtons Gap
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bungabbee | Naughtons Gap | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,534 | $1,329 | +$205 |
| Water & sewerage Estimated | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $18,200 | $18,200 | - |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $18,200 | $18,200 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,800 | $2,150 | -$350 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $22,834 | $22,979 | -$145 |
| Total (public transport) | $22,834 | $22,979 | -$145 |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Bungabbee | Naughtons Gap | 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 Naughtons Gap (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Bungabbee and Naughtons Gap differ by $145 a year by car, but $350 of that is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On the sourced costs, council rates, water and the commute, the gap is $205, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $350 per year.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $22,834 and $22,979 a year, so the $145 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Naughtons Gap by $205 a year, $1,329 against $1,534.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute is identical at $18,200 a year.
- Building insurance favours Bungabbee by $350 a year, $1,800 against $2,150.
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 Naughtons Gap against medium in Bungabbee, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bungabbee cumulative | Naughtons Gap cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $22,834 | $22,979 | $145 |
| Year 3 | $70,578 | $71,026 | $448 |
| Year 5 | $121,229 | $121,999 | $770 |
| Year 10 | $261,766 | $263,428 | $1,662 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bungabbee or Naughtons Gap cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Bungabbee runs $22,834 a year by car and Naughtons Gap $22,979, but most of the $145 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $205. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Bungabbee and Naughtons Gap?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,534 in Bungabbee (Lismore rates (OLG) and $1,329 in Naughtons Gap (Richmond Valley rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Bungabbee and $1,300 in Naughtons Gap. 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 Naughtons Gap?
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. Naughtons Gap 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. No daily public transport commute is assumed from either suburb, so both are costed by car.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bungabbee and Naughtons Gap?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bungabbee costs a cumulative $261,766 and Naughtons Gap costs $263,428 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,662 in favour of Bungabbee. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bungabbee and Naughtons Gap suits you better?
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 Richmond Valley rates (OLG rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.