Burrell Creek vs Karaak Flat: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Burrell Creek and Karaak Flat are both Mid-Coast rates (OLG suburbs, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Burrell Creek runs $450 a year cheaper than Karaak Flat, 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 →Burrell Creek
Karaak Flat
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Burrell Creek | Karaak Flat | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,609 | $1,609 | - |
| 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) | $23,109 | $23,559 | -$450 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,309 | $7,759 | -$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 | Burrell Creek | Karaak Flat | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,827 | $2,827 | - |
| Unit | $2,369 | $2,369 | - |
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 — Burrell Creek vs Karaak Flat (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Burrell Creek 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 Burrell Creek.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $450 per year. Karaak Flat carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $450 per year, $7,309 from Burrell Creek versus $7,759 from Karaak Flat.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,609 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute is identical at $18,200 a year.
- Building insurance favours Burrell Creek 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 Karaak Flat against low in Burrell Creek, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Burrell Creek cumulative | Karaak Flat cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,109 | $23,559 | $450 |
| Year 3 | $71,428 | $72,819 | $1,391 |
| Year 5 | $122,689 | $125,078 | $2,389 |
| Year 10 | $264,919 | $270,078 | $5,159 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Burrell Creek or Karaak Flat cheaper to live in?
Burrell Creek is cheaper to run by car at $23,109 per year versus $23,559 for Karaak Flat, 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 Burrell Creek and Karaak Flat?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,609 in Burrell Creek (Mid-Coast rates (OLG) and $1,609 in Karaak Flat (Mid-Coast rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Burrell Creek and $1,300 in Karaak Flat. 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 Burrell Creek and Karaak Flat?
Burrell Creek 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. Karaak Flat 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 Burrell Creek and $2,400 from Karaak Flat.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Burrell Creek and Karaak Flat?
At 3% annual cost growth, Burrell Creek costs a cumulative $264,919 and Karaak Flat costs $270,078 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,159 in favour of Burrell Creek. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Burrell Creek and Karaak Flat 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: Mid-Coast rates (OLG and Mid-Coast 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.